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Next week (December 15) the most important Official Chart race of the year will commence. Challenging the likes of Band Aid 30, The X Factor winner and The Peace Collective, Iron Maiden are firmly in the running for this year’s Official Christmas Number 1.

With a campaign spanning more than 4 months, over 32,000 Facebook likes, some hilarious artwork and tips from the man behind Rage Against The Machine’s infamous 2009 Christmas Number 1 in the bag, can The Number Of The Beast make it all the way? OfficialCharts.com caught up with campaign leader Tony Carmichael to find out how he rates their chances.

How did the Iron Maiden campaign come about?

“We're from the Barking and Romford area of Essex, where Iron Maiden were formed. Plus we're big fans so thought it might be a fun idea. We reached out to Jon Morter (who worked on the Rage Against The Machine, Justice Collective, and AC/DC campaigns) for some tips and advice as we knew he was a Maiden fan. He told us a load of great stuff that inspired us to just go for it!”

Why did you decide to back The Number Of The Beast in particular?

“We started a Facebook page and ran a poll for what song we'd all support. The Number Of The Beast was the clear winner and so the campaign began!”

Why should The Number Of The Beast be this year’s Official Christmas Number 1?

“It’s an absolute classic tune and Iron Maiden would sit alongside Queen, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Rage Against The Machine (all former Official Christmas Number 1s) very nicely indeed!

“Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the band too, so it would be a nice gesture from the fans to start the anniversary year on the back of a Number 1 single.”

Streams will count towards the chart for this first time this year, how do you think this will affect the campaign?

“Streaming is an interesting addition to the charts. For 'classic' tracks like ours it will certainly be a booster. We reckon that new releases won't necessarily benefit.”

According to the bookies you’ve got a good shot at the Number 1! Who would you class as your biggest competition?

“Well, as always you have to put the X Factor winner’s single (yawn) up there as there's a lot of sheep that amazingly still seem to like it.

“The Peace Collective is definitely one we're keeping a close eye on, plus we've shared a bit of banter over Twitter between us. They've got a great track and it's the same lot that got the “Christmas Number 1 in 2012 (The Justice Collective’s He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother) so they know what they're doing.

“John Otway has a very loyal fanbase so he might be a bit of a dark horse. JOANovARC are a brilliant band but I can't quite see them doing it, and Band Aid? Well that's jumped the shark now, hasn't it? Worst version yet.”

Why is the Christmas Number 1 so important?

“The Christmas Number 1 is a cracking little British tradition, despite Mr. Cowell trying his best to homogenise it in the last decade. People are passionate about it, just look at the attempts to take the crown every year."

What’s your favourite Christmas single of all-time?

“Best Christmas Number 1 of all-time? Rage Against The Machine...no contest. Best Christmas tune? Either Stop The Cavalry by Jona Lewie, or I Believe In Father Christmas by Greg Lake - both are timeless.”

Sales and streams of Iron Maiden’s The Number Of The Beast between 00.01am on Sunday, December 14 and midnight on Saturday, December 20 will count towards the 2014 Official Christmas Singles Chart.

The Official Christmas Singles Chart Top 40 will be counted down on BBC Radio 1’s Official Chart Show with Jameela Jamil between 4 and 7pm on Sunday, December 21, with the full Top 100 posted on OfficialCharts.com at 7pm.