Ed Sheeran eyeing Christmas number one as Perfect Beyonce duet debuts high in U.K.

Ed Sheeran has the U.K.'s Christmas number one in his sights after debuting his new Perfect collaboration with Beyonce at the top of the charts on Friday (08Dec17).

But it might not be Queen Bey who shares the spot with him come Christmas.

Sheeran explains he has a "trick up his sleeve" to keep the track at number one between now and 22 December (17), when the Christmas countdown is revealed, suggesting he has recorded another duet with a famous pal.

Asked if he wanted to be among the stars who have notched up a Christmas number one, Ed told the BBC, "I'd be lying if I said no. I do have one more trick up my sleeve. It's not like a Beyonce trick, but it's quite a cool trick."

Ed refused to go into details, but told BBC Radio 1's Chart Show no one will be expecting it: "It's more for my dad's generation. It'll be out in a week. You'll see then."

The singer-songwriter is already British bookmakers Ladbrokes' favorite to land the coveted Christmas number one.

Elsewhere on the new chart, Rak-Su's Dimelo is at two and Rita Ora's Anywhere comes in at three.

Camila Cabello's Havana and Mariah Carey's seasonal favorite All I Want For Christmas Is You round out the new top five.

Ed Sheeran has just missed out on a U.K. chart double as Sam Smith returns to the number one spot on the album chart with The Thrill Of It All. Ed's Divide is in second place, while Michael Ball & Alfie Boe's Together Again rounds out the top three.