Sir Elton rocks with Bob the Builder

Bob the Builder beat Eminem to the Christmas number one

Bob the Builder is teaming up with Sir Elton John in a bid to land a second Christmas number one.

The musician is also taking a starring role in the animated show for a festive special.

Bob the Builder, voiced by actor Neil Morrissey, scored his first number one with Can We Fix It at Christmas 2000, beating rap star Eminem.

Sir Elton John will be singing his classic Crocodile Rock

In the Christmas show, Sir Elton will join Bob on a rendition of Crocodile Rock, one of his own songs from 1972.

Bookmakers William Hill are tipping the song as third favourite for the coveted number one slot, behind Hear'Say and Westlife.

The festive edition is also expected see Chris Evans reprise his role of Lenny Lazenby, alongside Slade frontman Noddy Holder and actress Alison Steadman.

Chris Evans plays Lenny Lazenby

Bob runs a building yard in a small town with his loyal assistant Wendy and a gang of machines - Muck the bulldozer, Scoop the digger, Lofty the crane, Roley the steamroller and Dizzy the cement mixer, all with fun personalities of their own.

Although the BBC show is aimed at pre-school children, it has also gained cult status among older generations.

Hit Entertainment, which owns Bob the Builder, has seen its creation spawn £60m worth of merchandising from books, toys and videos.

The show has helped boost the profits of the BBC's commercial arm by 170%.

BBC Worldwide hit sales of £587m last year from children's shows such as the Teletubbies, Tweenies and Bob the Builder.