A surprising choice has been voted Smooth's favourite Christmas song of all time

24 December 2018, 09:00 | Updated: 24 December 2018, 10:36

For once, it wasn't Mariah, The Pogues or Wham...

The Carpenters' underrated ballad 'Merry Christmas Darling' has been voted the best Christmas song of all time by Smooth Radio listeners.

The 1970 love song received over 7,000 votes to top the chart, knocking last year's winner - 'Last Christmas' by Wham! - into second place.

George Michael was also in third place with 'December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)', followed by Cliff Richard's 'Mistletoe and Wine' and Band Aid's 'Do They Know it's Christmas'.

Other high climbers from last year's chart include Kelly Clarkson's 'Underneath the Tree' at six and Queen's 'Thank God It's Christmas' at 12.

Over 22,000 votes were cast in the poll, and you can see the full top 40 below: