George Michael has secured the first-ever UK number one of 2021 with the iconic Wham! hit Last Christmas.
The late singing icon, who died on Christmas Day in 2016, has taken the top spot of the UK charts after the Christmassy tune surged in popularity over the festive season.
Fans rejoiced after the exciting news was announced during the BBC Radio One Official Charts show on Friday (1 January).
Things were looking good for Wham! as a midweek update by the Official Chart Company put them just behind Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas.
According to MusicWeek, just 89 sales units were between the two popular songs.
George Michael has secured the first-ever UK number one of 2021 (Image: Getty Images)
The festive favourite climbed from three to one after racking up 9.2million streams over the past week, reaching the summit on the fourth anniversary of George Michael’s death.
Last Christmas was released 36 years ago in 1984, and it was beaten in the UK charts by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas.
This victory is a huge moment as it marks Michael’s first number one since Fastlove in 1996.
Last Christmas is said to be the second most-played Christmas song of all time according to research by the Performing Rights Society in 2019.
The hit climbed from 3 to 1 after racking up 9.2 million streams over the past week (Image: Internet Unknown)
That same year, the single set a new record for the biggest week of streams for a tune in the UK.
Michael died on Christmas Day back in 2016 aged 53 after suffering heart and liver complications.
The singing legend’s legacy of music has continued as after his death, Spotify streams of George Michael hits increased more than 3,000%.
Fans were left heartbroken after George’s death, with some even creating a shrine outside his home.
The star sold over 100 million records worldwide and performed in both the original Band Aid charity single in 1984 and alongside Elton John in the Live Aid concert the following year.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
