Hillsborough tribute crowned 2012 Christmas Number 1

They’ve done it! The Justice Collective’s Hillsborough tribute single has made it all the way to the 2012 Christmas Number 1 2012, confirms the Official Charts Company. 

The campaign has beaten off competition from X Factor winner James Arthur’s Impossible, racing across the finish line over 45,000 copies ahead of their rival. Last week’s chart topper Arthur has had another huge week of sales, shifting a further 224,000 copies in its second week to bring its tally to 713,000 since release.

He Ain’t Heavy... started the week trailing the X Factor winner by 3,000 copies. By Wednesday, December 19 The Justice Collective had overtaken James Arthur by 3,400, before extending their lead to 23,000 copies by Friday.

Most importantly, both Christmas Number 1 contenders have raised vital funds for their designated charities.

The all-star group, The Justice Collective, featuring a host of well known faces including Robbie Williams, Mel C, Rebecca Ferguson, Paloma Faith and Holly Johnson, are raising funds and awareness for the ongoing legal battle of the families of the Hillsborough tragedy.

Official Charts Company's Managing Director, Martin Talbot, says, “Congratulations to The Justice Collective on becoming the 2012 Official Christmas Number 1 with He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. They fought a sterling campaign against one of the biggest singles of the year in James Arthur's Impossible and are worthy winners - in aid of a very worthy cause.”

Steve Rotherham, MP Liverpool Walton, says "We have done in 9 weeks what it normally takes 9 months or more to achieve. Working with a phenomenally dedicated team all of whom have worked for free and displayed total professionalism throughout"

Festive chart fact!

With He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother going to Number 1, members of the all-star Justice Collective now account for 20% of all the Christmas Number 1 singles in chart history. That’s 12 out of the 61 singles that have topped the charts in Christmas week.

Sir Paul McCartney has appeared on seven others (four with The Beatles between 1963 and 1967, one with Wings in 1977, and two as part of Band Aid in 1984 and Band Aid 20 in 2004), Melanie C has appeared on three others (between 1996 and 1998 with the Spice Girls), Robbie Williams on two others (Somethin’ Stupid in 2001 and Band Aid 20), and Holly Johnson and Beverly Knight with one apiece with Band Aid and Band Aid 20, respectively.

Other Christmas Number 1 Contenders

23 year old YouTube blogger and unsigned musician Alex Day scores his third chart hit with Stupid Stupid at Number 25, Alex debuted on the Official Singles Chart last Christmas, achieving a Top 10 hit with Forever Yours, without the backing of a record label. 

“Come on ladies, come on ladies….”, East London market trader One Pound Fish Man has scored a Top 40 hit! Muhammad Shahid Nazir AKA One Pound Fish Man’s song, One Pound Fish became a viral sensation and the stuff of legend when shoppers began posting videos of his unusual musical sales patter on a fish stall in London’s Queen’s Market.  One Pound Fish swims 18 places north this week to land at Number 29.

The Eddie Stobart Truckers place just outside the Top 40 at Number 47 with The 12 Days Of Christmas, while Robbie Williams’ Different is at Number 64. Williams, who is part of The Justice Collective, had asked fans to buy the Hillsborough tribute instead of his single when he realised release dates would clash.

Minecraft Christmas, Area 11’s festive tribute to the cult video game, is at Number 69.  And finally, The Games Maker Choir and Alistair Griffin’s I Wish For You The World ends the week at Number 70,

Congratulations to all 2012 Christmas Number 1 contenders!

The Official Singles Chart Christmas Top 10 is as follows. See the full Top 100 here after 7pm.

© 2012 The Official Charts Company. All rights reserved.