Singing star is hoping lookalike group will have a happy Cliffmas

A pop song which will by vying to keep The X Factor winner off the coveted Christmas number one slot has apparently won the support of a superstar.

The Cliffmas Song was inspired by Sir Cliff Richard and the people behind it say the man himself has sent a message of goodwill.

The message, on the song's website, reads: "Happy Cliffmas … now that really is flattering. Good luck with the track and get those radio guys on your side.

"Remember, the Cliff generation is an endangered species!"

The video for the song was shot in Leicester earlier this year and stars Sir Elton John lookalike Nigel John, of Leicester, and Sir Cliff Richard lookalike Will Chandler, of Rothley.

The song – which has the chorus "Christmas isn't Christmas without Cliff, No Christmas isn't Christmas without Cliff" – is not available for download until December 9 but the video has already been viewed more than 1,700 times on YouTube.

Nigel and Will, together with Pavarotti lookalike Colin Miller, of Burton-on-Trent, and Mr Bean lookalike Steve Keefe, of Solihull, have collaborated with Brighton based 1980s-style pop band Detox Cute on the project. Will said: "We are confident it will get attention but we are up against The X Factor winner. If they were not in the equation I would be really confident. Top 10 would be amazing."

Nigel said: "If Jedward win The X Factor our chances are very strong! It's very important to set your sights high."

The song was written by Detox Cute's Charlie Darling and Paisley Pattenden. They first listed all the things they associated with Christmas. The Cliffmas Song was born when Sir Cliff emerged as the magic ingredient.

Charlie Darling, 29, said: "We wanted Christmas to be like it used to be – what Christmas was like before The X Factor."

The song will be available to download from iTunes.