Gennaro Castaldo Watch: Soldier, soldier

Is there anyone in the forces, or recently demobbed, who doesn't have a single out this Christmas?

Latest bloke nipping out the guardhouse is Xander Rawlins, who unlike James Blunt is combining soldiering with making a record. And he's pitching for Christmas number one.

Does he have a chance? Who can tell us?

“If anyone can challenge the might of Simon Cowell and the X Factor, then it may well be an artist from this background… we can see the beautiful '1000 Miles Apart' as a potential dark horse for the Christmas No.1." said Gennaro Castaldo, Head of Communications at HMV.

Head Of Communications? Has someone got a new job title?

Interesting that Gennaro is scratching his head trying to think of someone who might be able to "challenge the might" of Simon Cowell - it's only a year since "the might" was "challenged" by a bunch of Facebookers and the official anthem of Emoland.

So, he's a dark horse, is he? Let's call in some other expert opinion:

Rupert Adams, a spokesman for the bookmaker [William Hill] said "We believe that a forces related song is the most likely song to beat the X Factor for the Xmas No. 1 and Xander fits the bill big time!”

Really? So, William Hill believes he's in with a chance, then?

William Hill has offered odds of 25-1 on the single reaching the top spot.

Ah, yes, they're so convinced they're prepared to offer you £2500 if you stake £100 on him being number one.