The band Wet Wet Wet found chart success with Love Is All Around

A comic version of the hit single Love Is All Around is being released as a contender for the Christmas number one spot.

The song - renamed Christmas Is All Around - is being sung by actor Bill Nighy and is taken from the new film Love Actually.

Scottish band Wet Wet Wet took their version of The Troggs' song to the top of the charts - where it stayed for an amazing 15 weeks - when they recorded it for the movie Four Weddings And A Funeral.

The spoof single is one of many hopefuls for the Christmas number one spot.

The track will compete with artists such as Sir Cliff Richard, Blue and retro rockers The Darkness for the coveted top spot.

Love Is All Around was originally recorded by The Troggs.

Novelty records either sink without trace or ... can come from nowhere to become the office party favourite Gennaro Castaldo, HMV

The Bill Nighy spoof version will be released a week before the festive chart is announced.

Bookmaker William Hill puts the track at 12-1 to top the charts on 25 December.

Other contenders include boy band Blue, who have teamed up with Stevie Wonder to record his hit Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

Tight race

And finalists of ITV's Pop Idol are rumoured to be releasing a cover of the Plastic Ono Band hit Happy Xmas (War Is Over).

But William Hill put The Darkness as favourite with their release Christmas Time (When Will The Bells End?).

Chart expert Gennaro Castaldo of music retailer HMV said: "This could shape up to be one of the tightest races for the Christmas number one seen in recent years - a lot of big names like Robbie aren't in the mix, so it's really wide open.

"Novelty records either sink without trace or, like we saw in the 90s with Mr Blobby, can come from nowhere to become the office party favourite."