AH, I well remember those halcyon times, back in the day, when I really, really cared about what would be Christmas number one.

I'm not talking about the sepia-tinged past when I was still getting things like toy ironing sets as my “big present”, although the irony of such a gift is not lost on me now, as one who chooses clothes based on “does it look ok”, with “can I get away without ironing it” coming a close second.

No, I mean the joyful times when it was a big deal to hit the number one spot the weekend before December 25 – and bands/solo artists/novelty acts clearly worked their backsides off trying to get to the coveted top of the pile.

The first in my memory was Kylie and Jason with Especially For You – kids, this is before the pint-sized popstar had discovered hair straighteners and a stylist (the bubble perm look wasn't even a good look in the 1980s) and Jason was the best looking man on the planet (in my 10-year-old eyes, at least). Sadly this pop, erm, classic was pipped to the post by Sir Cliff Richard – who seemed to bag a load of festive number ones but in reality only managed two (Mistletoe and Wine and Saviours' Day for the pub quiz fans amongst you).

Band Aid has three times bagged the top spot over the festive period.

Then came the seemingly endless list of “hilarious” novelty songs.

Mr Blobby – seriously, whoever invented that particular character has some serious issues – Bob The Builder and my personal favourite, The Darkness, Don't Let The Bells End (although this was beaten by the miserable cover of Mad World).

Then there was the saccharine sweet pop ballad which seemed to dominate the Christmas charts.

Be that East 17 (remember them?) with Stay Another Day or the Spice Girls with their girl power (not so much to be honest) ballads.

Fine, it might have been big business to the music execs, but in the main it came across as a harmless bit of fun.

Until the X Factor that is.

Now, anyone who knows me, knows how much I detest this programme.

The manufactured tension, the strops, the accusations of vote rigging (honestly, we won't have heard of the majority of them in two months, enough with all the drama), it really does set my teeth on edge.

And now it has a monopoly on the Christmas number one.

Yes, Rage Against The Machine released a single especially to end this domination a couple of years ago, but in my eyes this totally failed as all people were talking about was the “big fight live” between the two songs, meaning the soulless machine that is the X Factor still ultimately benefited.

So this year I would appeal for the record (fine, download) buying public to put the fun back into the fight for Christmas number one – and may the best cheesy song win.