It means one less rival for the Spice Girls, who have surged ahead of the pack with their latest single Goodbye.

Mel B and Emma Bunton: Spice Girls are favourites

Sir Cliff, 58, had been ranked at 16-1 for the seasonal number one, but record bosses put back the release of Vita Mia after he suffered a bout of ill health and asked to wait until he recovered to promote the single.

The singer is a traditional fixture of the Christmas charts - and Mia Vita was expected to follow suit with a high chart placing.

A spokesman for Sir Cliff, who has been performing a record-breaking run of shows at London's Royal Albert Hall, said: "It has been postponed. It is not specifically as Christmas song.

"He has had an infection - he had a bad throat and lost his voice for a time.

"Doctors have been saying to him he couldn't do any promotion because he has been doing his dates at the Royal Albert Hall.

Jane McDonald: Now ranked at 6-1

"But it's a good single, so he will be releasing it in the New Year."

A spokesperson for the HMV retail chain said: "It won't feel like Christmas without Cliff in the charts."

It is good news for the Spice Girls' chances of Christmas glory - their single Goodbye, released on December 14, is now sailing ahead of The Cruise star Jane McDonald in the latest odds issued by bookmakers William Hill.

The foursome are at 1-3, while McDonald has drifted out to sea at 6-1.

But the real competition is coming from soul legend Isaac Hayes in his suggestive new role as Chef in anarchic cartoon South Park.

South Park: Chocolate Salty Balls could be the hit of Christmas

Once famous for classics like War and Theme From Shaft, Hayes is now third favourite at 10-1 with Chocolate Salty Balls (PS I Love You), taken from a South Park compilation album.

Television also provides the fourth favourites - The Big Breakfast hosts Johnny Vaughan and Denise Van Outen are at 14-1 with their cover of Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue's Especially For You, as performed on the BBC's Children In Need appeal.

Behind them are two novelty songs: Yo-Yo Boy by Alberta is at 16-1, tying with Alien Voices featuring the Three Degrees with Last Christmas, a cover of the Wham! hit.

Denise Van Outen: Duetting with Johnny Vaughan

Two founder members of the Swedish Slade Fan Club are responsible for the joint fifth favourite: a dance version of Merry Xmas Everybody, which is at 20-1, along with Irish girl group B*Witched.

Trailing them are Keith Allen's comedy effort Fat Les, teenage singer Billie and mainstream duo Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston at 25-1.

Outsiders include Spice Girl Mel C's duet with Bryan Adams, When You're Gone, which has been ranked 66-1, the same as the Gold Tops - a group of singing milkmen including Baby Spice Emma Bunton's uncle.

Cher is 100-1 to stay at number one with her hit Believe all the way until Christmas.