Robbie and Nicole launch chart bid

Robbie has reinvented himself with a big band sound

Pop star Robbie Williams has launched his bid for double chart success one as he releases his duet with Moulin Rouge actress Nicole Kidman.

The reinvented Williams has recorded the Frank and Nancy Sinatra classic Somethin' Stupid with the Hollywood actress.

Taken from his number one album, Swing When You're Winning, he is hoping to hit the lucrative festive top in both the single and album charts.

But he is facing stiff competition from surprise entry Gordon Haskell's How Wonderful You Are, which is released on 17 December.

Robbie Williams invited Nicole Kidman to sing on the track

The song, written and produced by the former King Crimson member, has become Radio 2's most requested track and has been championed by DJs such as Johnnie Walker and Ken Bruce.

Other contenders for the top spot include Spice Girl Emma Bunton, children's TV favourites The Lampies, Michael and Janet Jackson and club anthem Catch from Kosheen.

And the week before Christmas the biggest releaseswill be from Mariah Carey and David Gray.

If Robbie Williams achieves the Christmas chart double he will be the first act to do so since the Spice Girls five years ago.

His biggest threat appeared to be the posthumous release of George Harrison's My Sweet Lord but it seems likely this will hit the shops in the new year.

Emma Bunton will be hoping her single will be bought up by Christmas shoppers

HMV chart expert Gennaro Castaldo believe Williams and Kidman are most likely to win this year's battle to be in everyone Christmas stocking.

He said: "It's got all the elements of a Christmas number one.

"It's got the novelty value - our leading music entertainer teaming up with one of Hollywood's star names," he said.

"It's got singalong-ability for the office party, Robbie has got a massive following who are bound to go out and buy the single and it should have the momentum to keep selling through to Christmas week with being released at this time."

Last year's Christmas chart saw Bob the Builder beat rap star Eminem to the top spot.