Justin Bieber backs charity choir for U.K. Christmas number one

Justin Bieber has thrown his support behind a charity single in a bid to help it snag the U.K. Christmas number one, even though he is its main competitor.

The Canadian star is currently leading the way for the end-of-year accolade with his song Love Yourself, which is in a tight race with the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS (National Health Service) Choir's track, A Bridge Over You, but after hearing about the good cause, Justin has urged his fans to embrace the festive spirit and help out.

"I'm hearing this UK Christmas race is close...but the @Choir_NHS single is for charity," he began on Twitter on Wednesday (23Dec15). "So... for 1 week it's ok not to be #1. Let's do the right thing & help them win. It's Christmas. @Choir_NHS good luck".

The 21 year old, who has clinched the number one slot for three consecutive weeks this month (Dec15), then shared a link to the choir's website, where people can purchase the track.

"This is what it's all about," he continued. "Merry Christmas".

The NHS release is raising money for health charities across Britain and early on Wednesday, NHS communications manager Joe Blunden appealed to Justin's fans to cut the singer out of their lives for the next few days to help push the choir to number one.

He told the Press Association, "I was a Bieber fan until this week. Cut out your Bieber fever just for this week and get behind the NHS. After Christmas you can get back to downloading and streaming Bieber... Put the NHS number in the charts (sic), and also number one on the agenda."

A Bridge Over You combines elements of Coldplay's track Fix You and Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel, and the NHS campaign has been backed by stars including Coldplay and funnyman Stephen Fry.

Britain's Christmas number one will be announced later this week (beg21Dec15).