GIRLS ALOUD - CHRISTMAS IS COVERED UP FOR THE KAISERS

CHRISTMAS IS COVERED UP FOR THE KAISERS

Once upon a time the Christmas number one spot was a sight to behold, the pinnacle of a band's yearly efforts. However, in the early 21st century it seems that Cover Version Christmas has taken over and the marketing man is king.

The title race for the top spot consists of several pop acts, each covering a "well known" song, with GIRLS ALOUD's rehash of TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS' I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW leading the way.

Talented newcomers ALL ANGELS are also in the running with their ROBBIE WILLIAMS cover ANGELS, while LEONA LEWIS, the recent winner of UK karaoke competition X FACTOR, is the bookies' favourite with a cover of another karaoke winner, KELLY CLARKSON's 2002 song, A MOMENT LIKE THIS.

But, while the all-knowing, all-buying British public seems to have no problem with the glut of new-old music, Leeds rockers THE KAISER CHIEFS have slammed GIRLS ALOUD's attempts at covering their song I PREDICT A RIOT.

Frontman RICKY WILSON claimed the girls' version, which they perform live, is "embarrassing" as they didn't ask permission and changed the words.

The sexy pop competition winners, who perform dressed in tantalising costumes, refused to sing the line "borrow a pound for a condom", instead changing it to "borrow a pound for a phone call".

WILSON retaliated by telling the Daily Star this week: "I'm gonna cover a GIRLS ALOUD song and change all their words but make them really filthy."