Sam Ryder performs surprise set at Westgate Centre in Oxford

The singer set up inside the shopping centre to the delight of passersby to perform a selection of Christmas classics.

Promoting his song ‘You’re Christmas To Me' Mr Ryder looks to land the coveted Christmas number one spot with Wham! and their iconic hit ‘Last Christmas' his closest competition.

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Mr Ryder's hit song 'Spaceman' earned him and the UK second place at Eurovision and catapulted the 34-year-old to stardom in 2022 after rising to fame on TikTok during the coronavirus pandemic.

During the surprise set, the Essex singer took photos with fans and handed out flyers while singing Christmas songs including 'Run Rudolph Run'.

He urged the crowds to join him as he wowed shoppers who stopped while passing through the centre.

Stefan Thomas, who was in Oxford for a meeting at the time, said: "Sam Ryder has a Christmas single out, and he turned up in Oxford to busk it, complete with QR codes for the audience to buy it, which of course they did.

"Unexpected and brilliant, he took the time to grab selfies with everyone, and had his team plastered in the QR codes.

"20 minutes later and he's off to the next shopping centre. Effort is currency, connecting with your audience is priceless."

Sam Ryder posed with fans (Credit: Stefan Thomas) (Image: Stefan Thomas)

Mr Ryder’s 'You’re Christmas To Me' and Wham’s 'Last Christmas' are in a neck-and-neck battle, while Mariah Carey and The Pogues are also putting up a fight.

Ms Carey is at third midweek with All I Want For Christmas Is You, while Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s Merry Christmas jumps to the fourth spot.

The Pogues ft. Kirsty MacColl are currently at five with Fairytale of New York but Shane MacGowan’s widow Victoria Mary Clarke has said she would like to see the song land in the top spot.

The frontman died earlier this month at the age of 65.

The Christmas number one will be announced on BBC Radio 1’s The Official Chart from 4pm on December 22.

Mr Ryder's runner-up Eurovision position behind Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra gave the UK its best result in more than 20 years.

Following his Eurovision success, the 2023 competition was hosted in Liverpool on behalf of first-place winners Ukraine, who were unable to host amid ongoing conflict with Russia.

Loreen of Sweden won this year's Eurovision while the UK’s Mae Muller finished second from last.

The Swedish singer, who previously triumphed in 2012, made history as the first woman, and only the second person, to win the contest twice.

The win also tied her native Sweden with Ireland as the nation with the most wins, with seven apiece.

It also means the contest will take place in the home nation of Eurovision legends Abba on the 50th anniversary of their win in 1974.