Media Release: Take That hot favourites to land Christmas No.1 Album, say HMV and William Hill

TAKE That – now back to their original line-up and fresh from announcing a blockbuster 14-date summer stadium tour, are also set to dominate the Christmas charts this year – according to music retailer HMV and bookmakers, William Hills, who are offering just 2/5-on that their new album, Progress, will top the charts come Christmas Day when the Official UK Album Chart is announced on Sunday, 19th December.

These represent the shortest odds ever issued by Hills for a Christmas no.1 album prediction.

Progress, which is out on November 15 – the day after Take That are rumoured to be performing on the X Factor, is likely to face its closest challenge from JLS, whose follow-up album, Outta This World, has been issued odds of 5/1 by Hills.

Kings of Leon’s Come Around Sundown, which came out this week and is already setting the pace as the fastest-selling record of 2010, is likely to push for a top-3 spot, attracting odds of 9/1, whilst new recordings from Susan Boyle (The Gift – 10/1) and Duffy (Endlessly – 16/1) also look set to vie for a top 5 spot.

Says a spokesperson: “The rest of the predicted top ten continues to have a distinctly X Factor-inspired feel to it, with the likes of Black Eyed Peas, Olly Murs, Cheryl Cole, Michael Bublé, Rihanna and Westlife all likely to do really well following recent or planned appearances on the prime-time family show.

“A good outside bet, however, could prove The Soldiers, whose album Letters Home, which is donating proceeds to Help For Heroes amongst other charities, may well tap into the strong sentiment that so evidently exists among the British public for our service men and women.”

HMV’s Gennaro Castaldo comments: “Usually it’s the winner of the X Factor landing the Xmas no.1 single that’s the easy prediction to make, but, after last year’s upset with Rage Against the Machine, people are not so sure now – though you’d still have to make them favourites.

“More certain, I’d say, is the likelihood of Take That massively outselling everyone else on the albums front this Christmas.

“They’re the biggest act in the country by far and clearly much-loved by all, so Progress will appeal as much to your gran as it will to your five-year old. It has to be the ultimate family album, and with Robbie now back, a great lead single to come and the band due to appear on the X Factor as well as in their own TV documentary, you have to say there are all the makings of a perfect storm that will see Take That dominate the charts this Christmas.”

Rupert Adams of William Hills, adds: “We think it’s an one-horse race – Take That with Robbie back on board are going to be almost impossible to beat.”

HMV top ten album prediction for Christmas Day ft. William Hill latest betting (chart to be announced by the Official UK Charts Company on Sunday 19th December 2010)

1. Take That / Progress (15/11) 2/5

2. JLS / Outta This World (22/11) 5/1

3. Kings of Leon / Come Around Sundown (out now) 9/1

4. Susan Boyle / The Gift (8/11) 10/1

5. Duffy / Endlessly (29/11) 16/1

6. Black Eyed Peas / The Beginning (29/11) 16/1

7. Olly Murs / Feel Free (29/11) 16/1

8. Cheryl Cole / Messy Little Raindrops (1/11) 20/1

9. Michael Bublé / Crazy Love: Hollywood Edition (out now) 25/1

10.Rihanna / Loud (15/11) 25/1

And bubbling under….

11.Westlife / Gravity (29/11) 25/1

12.The Soldiers / Letters Home (out now) 25/1

13.Pink / Greatest Hits? So Far!!! (15/11) 25/1

14.Joe McElderry / Wide Awake (out now) 25/1

15.The Wanted / The Wanted (25/1)

William Hill Christmas Number One Single: 4/11 Winner of The X Factor 2010, 7/2 The Trashmen, 12/1 Bryn Terfel & Bing Crosby, 12/1 Jon Cage (5 Minutes Silence), 14/1 Take That, 16/1 Rage Against The Machine, 20/1 Gamu Nhengu , 25/1 JLS , 25/1 Leona Lewis , 33/1 George Michael , 33/1 Joe McElderry , 33/1 Alexandra Burke, 40/1 Westlife, 50/1 Harry Hill, 50/1 Mariah Carey, 50/1 Shane McGowan and The Priests , 50/1 Electric Six, 50/1 Rick Astley , 50/1 Cheryl Cole 50/1 Wham, 50/1 Jedward 50/1 Lady Gaga , 50/1 Katy Perry 50/1 Boyzone , 66/1 Pulp 66/1 Metallica , 66/1 Britney Spears 66/1 Michael Jackson, 66/1 The Saturdays, 66/1 Enrique Iglesias, 66/1 Kylie Minogue, 70/1 Cliff Richard……Others On Request

William Hill Xmas 1 Without X factor: 5/4 The Trashmen, 4/1 Jon Cage, 5/1 Bryn Terfel and Bing Crosby, 7/1 Take That, 8/1 Rage Against The Machine, 10/1 Gamu, 12/1 JLS, 12/1 Leona Lewis, 16/1 George Michael, 25/1 Electric Six

William Hill Number One Album: 2/5 Take That, 5/1 JLS, 5/1 Father Christmas Sings, 9/1 Kings Of Leon, 10/1 Susan Boyle, 16/1 Duffy, 16/1 Black Eye Peas, 16/1 Olly Murs 20/1 Cheryl Cole 25/1 The Soldiers 50/1 Chelsea Pensioners

ENQUIRIES

Gennaro Castaldo / gennaro.castaldo@hmv.co.uk / 020 7432 2033

Rupert Adams / radams@williamhill.co.uk / 0784 1011 584.

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