CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE: The biggest gamble of all time on the festive chart topper was landed today thanks to 150/1 chance Rage Against The Machine taking top spot.
It was definitely the season of goodwill for lucky Christmas Number One punters, as the biggest gamble of all time on the festive chart topper was landed today, with 150-1 chance Rage Against The Machine (backed down to 6-1) surprisingly taking the top spot ahead of X-Factor winner, and hot favourite, Joe McElderry.
Joe was 1-12 with Coral bookmakers when the book closed, with punters assuming the Number spot was in the bag, but it was the 6-1 chance Rage Against The Machine that surged ahead on the final day to lift the prestigious prize.
Its the biggest Xmas shock of all time, and although it has cost the industry over £1m, it at least now keeps the interest going, after the X-Factor dominance almost killed off the festive chart betting forever, said coral spokesman Gary Burton.
Killing in the Name by Rage Against The Machine was backed down from 150-1 only a few weeks ago, and won the closest chart battle since 2003, when Mad World by Gary Jules, edged out The Darkness with Christmas Time (Dont Let The Bells End).
Coral now make the X-Factor single 1-5 to defeat any challengers next year, 3-1 the rest.
**2010 Christmas Number One betting
1-5 X-Factor, 3-1 Any other act
Bet with Coral and claim a £20 free bet
