Bob the Builder makes number one

Bob the Builder has fixed it this week

Children's BBC favourite Bob the Builder has knocked controversial US rap star Eminem off the number one spot in the UK singles chart.

The animated hero's jovial Can We Fix It? turned the tables on Eminem, who kept him off the top spot last week.

Bookmakers now believe Bob stands a good chance of winning the race to become the Christmas chart-topper.

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He will face stiff competition from boy band Westlife, who release their new single What Makes a Man on 18 December. They are going for their second festive number one in a row.

Robbie Williams, who entered the charts on Sunday at number four with his new single Supreme, is also in the running.

One song that had been tipped as a possible Christmas chart topper, At The Time Of Year by Big Brother star Craig Phillips, failed to make the top 10, entering at 14.

Even more disastrous was the single by Boyzone's Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch. Their cover of the Milli Vanilli hit Girl You Know It's True only managed to scrape into the Top 40 at number 36.

Kylie Minogue had a new entry at number 10 with Please Stay and Billie Piper came in at 25 with Walk of Life.

Young fans

Bob the Builders' single is based on his famous catchphrase and is sung by his narrator Neil Morrissey.

Its success is based on Bob's TV show's huge popularity.

The 10-minute programme for pre-school children stars the cheerful and trustworthy Bob going about his business helped by his talking vehicles.

It has been screened only since April 1999, but has been a huge success for the BBC.

The series has spawned a wide range of hit spin-off merchandise for children.

To date, £60m worth of Bob the Builder toys, videos and tapes have been sold in Britain alone.