Paddington could potentially take the Christmas lead with Tom Fletcher’s help.

Paddington Bear Could Be This Year’s Christmas Number One

It’s that delightful time of year again, as the countdown to Christmas begins with a new favorite for the festive number one spot emerging. Last year, Wham! enjoyed the top position amidst spirited competition from Mariah Carey and Tom Grennan, the latter even getting a celebratory tattoo in anticipation.

This year, a charming new song from Tom Fletcher of McFly, crafted for Paddington The Musical, has captured the attention of many. “One Of Us,” performed by Tom, was released last week along with a heartwarming music video featuring the beloved bear at Paddington Station.

“A Christmas number one race isn’t complete without the arrival of a true legend,” remarked Martin Talbot, Chief Executive of the Official Charts Company. “The vision of Paddington embracing this year’s diverse array of festive chart contenders, alongside timeless classics from The Pogues, Mariah Carey, and Wham!, is something to cherish.”

Musical Magic at the Savoy Theatre

The musical is currently delighting audiences at the Savoy Theatre in London’s West End, with Amy Ellen Richardson portraying Mrs. Brown, who performs the song. The essence of Michael Bond’s iconic bear is brought to life by a talented performer (Arti Shah) and a dedicated off-stage puppeteer (James Hameed).

Tom, who has been busy touring with McFly and rival band Busted this year, composed the music for this enchanting stage show, with an album set for release in March 2026. In conversation with Radio Times, he shared, “Dougie and Harry attended one of the workshops early on, eager to experience the songs. Their emotional reactions warmed my heart. The support from McFly has been wonderful, especially as we all embrace our individual projects. They truly recognize the special nature of this one and are excited to join us with their little ones.”

A Royal Encounter

Recently, special guests, the Prince and Princess of Wales, shared a delightful moment with Paddington Bear after the Royal Variety Performance. Prince William complimented Tom, saying he found the musical’s performance “fantastic,” while gesturing towards the bear’s adorable marmalade sandwich, adding, “Your sandwich looks very nice.” Paddington holds a special place in royal connections, having previously charmed the late Queen Elizabeth II in a memorable sketch during her platinum jubilee where she humorously noted keeping marmalade sandwiches in her handbag.

However, the competition for Paddington’s Christmas number one is fierce, with talented artists like Kylie Minogue, Ed Sheeran, and Sabrina Carpenter also in the running. Even Denise Welch has released a festive track, “Slayyy Bells,” in collaboration with Celebrations, hoping to capture that cherished spot.

Rediscovering Festive Spirit

The number one race has long seen the influence of charity singles, which reshaped the festive chart competition. With new contenders stepping forward, there’s renewed excitement for the Christmas chart this year. Children’s characters like Mr. Blobby and Bob The Builder have brightened past festive seasons, reaching the top of the UK singles chart, and this year seems promising for Paddington as well.

Since his first appearance in 1958, Paddington has been a beloved figure, inspiring numerous adaptations over the years, including a cherished BBC TV version in 1976, voiced by the late Sir Michael Hordern, and well-received films released in 2014, 2017, and 2024.