 Peter Kay (right) has recorded a video for the Tony Christie song |
Tony Christie's classic hit Is This The Way To Amarillo is heading for number one in the UK after being re-released for Comic Relief by comedian Peter Kay. The single, which originally went to number 18 in 1971, sold 40,000 copies on Monday, according to first-day sales figures from retailer HMV.
The rush comes after Kay recruited a host of TV legends to appear in a video, which was shown on Red Nose Day.
It is outselling its nearest rival, by McFly, by two to one, HMV said.
Kay, who was recently voted Britain's favourite comic, has used Is This The Way To Amarillo in his stand-up routines and TV show Phoenix Nights.
'Thrilled'
In the new video, he is seen miming the track with stars including Michael Parkinson, Jimmy Savile and Ronnie Corbett.
If reaches number one, it will take over the top spot from another Comic Relief song, McFly's All About You.
HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "At this rate, it seems certain to sell well over 150,000 copies in its first week to go straight to number one."
Many number one singles now reach the top of the chart with little more than 20,000 copies sold over the whole week. The new Band Aid single sold 72,000 on its first day in November.
Christie said: "When Peter Kay and Comic Relief approached me about doing this, I was thrilled and hope that it will help raise lots of money for such a great cause."
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