BBC Radio 1's Mark Goodier reveals the Christmas Top Ten

Notching up sales of at least 200,000 in the run-up to the release of the official UK top 40 on Sunday, Sporty, Scary, Baby and Posh Spice joined an elite club of two with The Beatles.

By the middle of last week bookies William Hill slashed odds to 1-7 on and then refused to take any more bets.

The band's record company delivered an estimated 700,000 copies of the single, seen by many observers as a song to departed fifth Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, to shops for last Monday's release date.

Coming in at number two was Isaac Hayes/South Park with Chef's Chocolate Salty Balls. Number three was clinched by The Big Breakfast's Johnny Vaughan and Denise van Outen with a cover of Kylie and Jason's Especially for You.

Two become three

The Spice Girls first rocketed to the top Christmas spot in 1996 with 2 Become 1.

Beatles: 33 year record

In 1997 the band repeated the feat when their single, Too Much, proved to be just that to the opposition.

The Beatles set the precedent between 1963 and 1965 with I Want to Hold Your Hand, followed by I Feel Fine and Day Tripper.

Last week's number one group B*Witched spent the week preparing for defeat despite having seen their single To You I Belong knock Cher off the top the week before.

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe described the Spice Girls as being so far ahead of their rivals that they had turned it into a one-horse race.

Speaking to BBC Radio 1's Mark Goodier, Baby Spice Emma Bunton said that she was celebrating with a "bottle of champers".

"Can you believe it?" She cried down the telephone. "I just want to thank all our fans."

She added that all the band members would be having a relaxing Christmas with their families after a hectic schedule last year.

The Christmas Top Ten: