Simon Cowell admits Military Wives could beat X-Factor winners to Christmas no 1

The battle for the much-coveted Christmas number one is heating up, with Simon Cowell conceding that the 2011 X-Factor winners Little Mix could be beaten to the top spot on 25 December.

The girl band reached number one with their cover of Damien Rice's 'Cannonball' on 18 December but due to an oversight by the reality show's executives it was released a week early.

This means that the group have to maintain the top spot for another week, which Cowell has claimed may be hard.

Instead, the charity song 'Wherever you are' by the Military Wives is favourite for Christmas number one.

On Twitter, the music producer and X-Factor founder, wrote: "Congrats to Little Mix & congrats to Military Wives. It's a great cause & a worthy Christmas No 1."

The Military Wives choir was a product of the BBC Two reality show 'The Choir', with spouses of men in the armed forces taking part.

Proceeds from the single will be donated to the Royal British Legion and Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association Forces Help.