Wham! to release Last Christmas on vinyl and CD in Christmas Number 1 single bid

Reigning Official Singles Chart-toppers Wham! have announced a huge move in their bid to claim 2023's Official Christmas Number 1 single, as Last Christmas is set to receive a limited edition physical release this Friday, December 15.

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley's seasonal chart staple, which was first released in 1984, will be issued on green-coloured 7-inch vinyl and CD this week, cementing its status as 2023's Christmas Number 1 contender to beat.

MORE: Why Wham!'s Last Christmas is the song to beat in 2023's Official Christmas Number 1 single race

Last Christmas has reached Number 1 four times since its release, topping the charts in January 2021, December 2022, January 2023 and December 2023. But, despite its enduring success, the track is yet to claim the coveted Christmas Number 1 title.

It's come very close, though; peaking at Number 2 on the Official Christmas Singles Chart on two separate occasions; during its debut in 1984, when Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas? took the top spot, and again last year, when LadBaby's record-setting Food Aid claimed the title.

Now, Wham! are pulling out all the stops as they release Last Christmas on CD for the first time ever in the UK.

Wham!'s Last Christmas CD single tracklisting:

1. Last Christmas (Single Mix)

2. Everything She Wants

3. Last Christmas (Pudding Mix)

4. Everything She Wants (Remix)

Wham!'s Last Christmas 7-inch vinyl single tracklisting:

1. Last Christmas (Single Mix)

2. Everything She Wants

Last Christmas has received numerous physical reissues over the years, including a white 7-inch vinyl in 2019 and US exclusive Record Store Day 12-inch variant in 2014.

MORE: Every Official Christmas Number 1 single ever - how many do you remember?

As Last Christmas returned to Number 1 last week, Andrew Ridgeley exclusively told Official Charts: "Christmas has indeed come early in 2023. I'm delighted that Last Christmas has once again reached the zenith of the Official Singles Chart, continuing a bit of trend in the 2020s. Long may that continue! 

"Merry Christmas, Happy New Year…and thank you!"

WATCH Andrew Ridgeley celebrates Wham!'s Official Number 1 single with Last Christmas:

MORE: 2023's Official Christmas Number 1 single contenders

When will 2023's Official Christmas Number 1 single be announced?

The Official Christmas Number 1 race 2023 kicks off Friday December 15 with sales and streams counting up until midnight (11.59pm) on Thursday, December 21.

Tune in to The Official Chart on BBC Radio 1 on Friday December 22 from 4pm to hear the Christmas Top 40 countdown and the exclusive reveal of the Official Christmas Number 1 2023.

The full Top 100 Official Christmas Singles Chart and Albums Chart will be published on OfficialCharts.com from 5.45pm.

Join the conversation now using the hashtag #XmasNo1. Follow @OfficialCharts on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  To be the first to hear who's leading the race to Christmas Number 1, join the Official Charts mailing list and opt in to Breaking News alerts. And keep up with all our Christmas Number 1 news and features here.

Article image: Getty/John Rogers.