I could have asked Shirley (I do know her) but decided to go to the Fount of Wisdom, the boss of Marks and Sparks himself - Stuart Rose.

Got a very nice letter back this morning saying he loved the idea of a Xmas No1 but, and I quote directly...

"the song does not in fact exist as a track. It was recorded for the commercial and is only ninety seconds long in full, including the intro".

Sad but very impressive that he responded within 24 hours.

Now if Wadders would get in touch and ask me to create a finished master and get it ready for immediate release within 24 hours, this industry would be the one I entered 40 years ago!

Yes I can see the potential.

And if the x-factor winner can be marketed within 24 hours then why not the great Shirley?

Theres nothing wrong with a 90 second single/video being seen on the telly a thousand times+ a day.
Thats a hit in itself.
How about a 90 second video download on I-tunes with the M+S tags removed and a "Merry Christmas from Shirley and Twiggy" credit at the end ?
This advert/track is a classic, and if it doesnt come out in a "full version", this year, it will surely in the end re-appear every Christmas in another format, elongated, sampled and re-mixed.
With respect to Stuart Rose and all at M & S, and your staff. This is very possible.

<<< And if the x-factor winner can be marketed within 24 hours then why not the great Shirley? >>>

The X Factor winner isn't marketed within 24 hours - they've had six months TV exposure prior to the release - AND they have BOTH finalist versions on stand-by all ready to go !