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In the United Kingdom, the race to dominate the music charts becomes more competitive than at any other point in the year each December. There’s a major push among both superstars and lesser-known entities to hit No. 1 with either an album or a song during the Christms week, as it is seen as a particularly impressive achievement.
The champion for the 2025 season is an unlikely candidate – one who has not scored a new No. 1 hit on the Official Singles chart in many years. Kylie Minogue is in charge for the first time in decades with her holiday smash “Xmas.”
As the Australian singer returns to the top spot on the ranking of the most consumed songs in the U.K., she breaks ties with several other superstars on the list of the artists with the greatest number of leaders – and matches several others at the same time.
Just in time for the holiday, Minogue rockets to the top space on the Official Singles chart. The Grammy winner sends “Xmas” to the top spot and claims the coveted Christmas No. 1. The track soars north 15 spaces and sits on the throne in just its fourth stint on the tally.
The Official Charts Company states that with “Xmas,” Minogue makes history in one very specific manner. She is now the first female artist to chart a No. 1 hit on the main singles tally in the ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘00s and ‘20s. Minogue missed earning another leader in the ‘10s decade, but now her tenure at the top stretches more than 35 years.
Minogue has racked up a total of eight No. 1s on the U.K.’s ranking of the most popular songs in the nation throughout her career. It’s been more than 20 years since she last added to that total, as “Slow” ran the show back in 2003. Minogue hit the highest rung on her first try, back in 1988, when “I Should Be So Lucky” helped turn her into a global superstar.
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Here are all of Minogue’s eight No. 1s on the Official Singles chart:
As “Xmas” rules, Minogue ties for the fourteenth-most No. 1s in U.K. history. That number is even more impressive when looking only at soloists, as she’s now matched with several other artists working on their own for the ninth-most winners.
Minogue finds herself on the same level as Justin Bieber, Oasis, the Rolling Stones, and Sam Smith, who have all likewise scored eight No. 1s on the Official Singles chart. Of that bunch, Bieber also joined this club in 2025, as “Daisies,” the breakout smash from his surprise album Swag, added to his total only a few months ago.
Thanks to the timely ascent of “Xmas,” Minogue passes nine other acts, as there were 10 who were tied with seven No. 1s only a few days ago. Jess Glynne, Ariana Grande, David Guetta, Michael Jackson, McFly, George Michael, Tinie Tempah, U2 and Robbie Williams have all reached the loftiest spot with seven different tunes.
Among all acts, Elvis Presley continues to stand out in front, and his record may never be matched. According to the Official Charts Company, the rock and roller scored an incredible 21 rulers. He remains the only name with 20 or more winners to his credit.
At the same time that “Xmas” becomes the most consumed song in the U.K., the track debuts atop two other tallies. Minogue’s latest focus track arrives at No. 1 on both the Official Physical Singles and Official Vinyl Singles charts. The pop and dance musician earns her milestone tenth leader on the ranking that looks only at songs released on wax and her eighteenth on the physical list. (Forbes)