This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8413557.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Rock anthem outselling McElderry | Rock anthem outselling McElderry |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Rock band Rage Against The Machine is ahead of X Factor winner Joe McElderry in the race for the Christmas number one, early sales figures suggest. | Rock band Rage Against The Machine is ahead of X Factor winner Joe McElderry in the race for the Christmas number one, early sales figures suggest. |
| A Facebook group aiming to get the band's 1992 hit Killing In The Name to the top of the festive chart has attracted more than 750,000 members. | A Facebook group aiming to get the band's 1992 hit Killing In The Name to the top of the festive chart has attracted more than 750,000 members. |
| But McElderry's debut The Climb, out on CD on Wednesday, is expected to catch up by the weekend. | But McElderry's debut The Climb, out on CD on Wednesday, is expected to catch up by the weekend. |
| The Official Charts Company (OCC) said it is "a very exciting battle". | The Official Charts Company (OCC) said it is "a very exciting battle". |
| Campaign criticism | Campaign criticism |
| It is understood that there is a 10% margin in sales between the two singles after Sunday and Monday. | It is understood that there is a 10% margin in sales between the two singles after Sunday and Monday. |
| McElderry's song was only released digitally after his victory in the X Factor final at midnight on Sunday, giving it less time to rack up sales for this week's chart than Rage Against The Machine. | |
| X Factor judge Simon Cowell has criticised the internet campaign, calling it "stupid". | X Factor judge Simon Cowell has criticised the internet campaign, calling it "stupid". |
| Prior to the final of the ITV talent show, he said: "I think the campaign's aimed directly at me." | Prior to the final of the ITV talent show, he said: "I think the campaign's aimed directly at me." |
| The Facebook page includes a link to homeless charity site Shelter, which has raised nearly £30,000 in donations. | The Facebook page includes a link to homeless charity site Shelter, which has raised nearly £30,000 in donations. |
| Rage Against The Machine, meanwhile, are signed to Epic Records, which is part of Sony BMG, the same label as McElderry. | Rage Against The Machine, meanwhile, are signed to Epic Records, which is part of Sony BMG, the same label as McElderry. |
| Ladbrokes has re-opened its betting for the number one Christmas single just 24 hours after closing it. | Ladbrokes has re-opened its betting for the number one Christmas single just 24 hours after closing it. |
| Ladbrokes spokesman, Nick Weinberg, said: "Earlier this week it looked a done deal. Now Joe appears to be facing an almighty battle for top spot. | Ladbrokes spokesman, Nick Weinberg, said: "Earlier this week it looked a done deal. Now Joe appears to be facing an almighty battle for top spot. |
| "This Christmas could be the first time in a long while that we see a genuine competition." | "This Christmas could be the first time in a long while that we see a genuine competition." |
| McElderry is at 1/3 with Rage Against the Machine at 2/1. | McElderry is at 1/3 with Rage Against the Machine at 2/1. |
| The OCC's Martin Talbot said "two different records have captured the nation's imagination". | The OCC's Martin Talbot said "two different records have captured the nation's imagination". |
| "According to our initial sales estimates, there is no doubt that this tussle is far from over," he added. | "According to our initial sales estimates, there is no doubt that this tussle is far from over," he added. |