Meet James 'SHINNy' Davenport: The Salford musician who wants to put the Christmas back in Christmas Number 1

We sit down with the Northern challenger about how his single has turned his life around.

The last Christmas Number 1 single to directly reference Christmas was way back in 2004, and one man hoping to bring it back this year is unsigned musician James 'SHINNy' Davenport.

His ambitiously-titled track Christmas Number 1 has been causing quite the stir in his hometown of Salford. Last week, he took his campaign to Key 103's Christmas Live, performing the song in front of thousands alongside headliners Robbie Williams, Busted and The Vamps.

What's more, he's got plenty of local celebs backing the song for the top spot; the accompanying music video for Christmas Number 1 stars Happy Mondays' Bez and Shameless actress Tina Malone.

MORE: Check out all of 2016's Official Christmas Number 1 contenders

SHINNy - a former boxer - has been open about his former battles with drink and drugs, and how his passion for music has turned his life around. With Christmas Number 1, he now hopes to improve the lives of others too. Proceeds of sales from the song go to the Macmillan Cancer Support charity.

We asked SHINNy to tell us why everyone should send him to the top this Christmas. Watch below: