Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

SLADE SONG WINS CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE POLL

A new survey has revealed that the 1973 hit Merry Christmas Everybody by Slade is the nation’s favourite ever Christmas number one. Second favourite in the poll of 4,000 people conducted by David Ormerod Hearing Centres was Do they know it’s Christmas by Band Aid from 1984, followed by Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen from 1975 and Stay Another Day by East 17 from 1994.

The self-titled song by Mr Blobby from 1993 was voted as the most annoying ever Christmas number by a whopping forty per cent of voters. Other Christmas number ones that we find irritating are There’s No one Quite Like Grandma by St Winifred’s School Choir from 1980, Bob the Builder’s Can We Fix It in 2000 and Cliff Richard’s 1990 hit Saviours’ Day.

The nation’s favourite Christmas carol is Silent Night, followed by O Little Town of Bethlehem, Oh Come All Ye Faithful and Away in a Manger. 66% of us still get into the Christmas spirit by singing carols during the festive period, with women twice as likely as men to break out in song.

Karen Shepherd, Audiological Services Manager at David Ormerod Hearing Centres, says: “Christmas is a time of year often associated with music and celebration and the nation’s Christmas number usually generates spirited debate. Unfortunately, Christmas is also a time of year that people with hearing loss can feel most lonely and isolated as they find it hard to join in socially.”

A quick and free 5-minute hearing test is now available at David Ormerod Hearing Centres around the country for those that think they might have hearing loss. For a free hearing loss information pack or to book a hearing assessment, call 0845 270 3916.

Top Ten Christmas Number Ones

1973: Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody
1984: Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?
1975: Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
1994: East 17 - Stay Another Day
1991: Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody / These Are The Days Of Our Lives
1989: Band Aid II - Do They Know It's Christmas?
1976: Johnny Mathis - When A Child Is Born
1981: The Human League - Don't You Want Me
1985: Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone
1988: Cliff Richard - Mistletoe & Wine

Top Ten Most Annoying Christmas Number Ones

1993: Mr Blobby – Mr Blobby
1980: St Winifred’s School Choir – There’s No One Quite Like Grandma
2000: Bob The Builder – Can We Fix It?
1990: Cliff Richard – Saviour’s Day
1971: Benny Hill – Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)
1982: Renee & Renato – Save Your Love
1969: Rolf Harris – Two Little Boys
2005: Shayne Ward – That’s My Goal
1999: Westlife – I Have A Dream / Seasons In The Sun
1997: Spice Girls – Too Much

Top Ten Christmas Carols

Silent Night
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
Away in a Manger
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
White Christmas
Jingle Bells
When A Child Is Born
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas


For further info contact on the survey, regional results, details on the free hearing assessments or Hearing Clearer Awareness Month in January please contact:

Natalie Flynn, Pegasus Public Relations
nflynn@pegasuspr.co.uk / 01903 821550