Justin Bieber congratulates NHS Choir after they beat him to Christmas number one spot
Justin Bieber has congratulated the NHS Choir after they beat him to the coveted Christmas number one for 2015.
The Canadian pop star had urged his fans to "do the right thing" and help the Lewisham and Greenwich choir's charity single, A Bridge Over You, claim the top spot.
After they achieved that goal, the singer tweeted: "Just heard the news. Amazing. That is what Christmas is all about. @Choir_NHS congrats!! Very cool".
ITV News captured the moment the choir heard the news on Radio 1's Official Chart Show.
And his call has been answered.
"We are absolutely overwhelmed and couldn't be any happier! It's a brilliant celebration for the NHS across the country so well done and thank you everyone for downloading and streaming," the choir told OfficialCharts.com.
"A massive cheer for the NHS, thank you!"
NHS Choir finished nearly 31,000 copies ahead of Bieber, with a total of combined chart sales of over 127,000 copies against Bieber's 97,000.
The choir's bid for No 1 success was boosted by Bieber's declaration of support earlier this week.
All proceeds from the NHS Choir's single will go to charities including Carers UK and Mind.
Industry experts said it was the closest race for the Christmas number one since 2009 when Rage Against The Machine beat X Factor star Joe McElderry.
Chidi Ejimofo, a consultant and member of the choir, said afterward he had previously accepted that they would probably come second, adding that the groundswell of support they had seen was "overwhelming".
Martin Talbot, chief executive of the Official Charts Company, said "there couldn't be a more deserving group of winners."
"There will be thousands of NHS staff across the country working through Christmas Day, while the rest of the nation is putting its feet up - this success is for them."