Wigan band The Lathums among favourites for Christmas number one

Indie band The Lathums could finish their incredible year with a Christmas number one, according to bookies.

William Hill have slashed the odds of the four-piece taking the crown with their festive single 'Krampus' to 8/1.

The Wigan band were previously priced as a 150/1 long shot but are now the fourth favourites.

In 2021, The Lathums have enjoyed a meteoric rise and knocked Drake off the top spot in the album charts with their debut 'How Beautiful Life Can Be'.

Two weeks later, they performed their biggest headline show to date, at a sold-out Victoria Warehouse.

Krampus is a Christmas single with a twist, focusing on the 'dark side' of the holiday, according to frontman Alex Moore.

On penning the song, he said: "It was about halfway through the first lockdown when Johnny played the bassline in rehearsals and I thought it sounded like a Christmas song.

"Scott and I had been round at his house watching the Inside No.9 Christmas special, which is where I found out about the horror of Krampus.

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"If we were to do a Christmas song, I wanted to do it with that dark side.

"I am not a massive Christmas fan, but always eventually get my paper hat on and join in the fun, I can’t help it. After the year we’ve had we’ve got so much cause to celebrate, so this single is one last ‘thank you’ to everyone that’s supported us for the year.

"See you all, even bigger and better, in 2022"

The Lathums performing at Neighbourhood Weekender (Image: Sam Crowston)

Ed Sheeran and Elton John are odds-on to get the coveted Christmas Number One, after they collaborated on three festive tracks.

Meanwhile comedian LadBaby is also hotly-tipped to score an unprecedented fourth Chrsitmas Number One in a row - despite having not released a single yet.

Of The Lathums' effort, William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: “This year has been the best year for new British groups in well over a decade, with bands right across the UK breaking through.

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"The track has come out of nowhere really, and it is now considered a serious contender for this year’s festive chart-topper.

"The band’s huge following will have been a big factor in their odds being slashed, but how great is it to see a former wedding band going toe-to-toe with some of the chart’s big guns."

The Christmas number one will be announced at 5.45pm on Christmas Eve.