Ed Sheeran and Elton John have released their new charity Christmas single, ‘Merry Christmas, and an accompanying music video. The pair’s global record and publishing royalties from the track and its sales will be donated equally between the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation and The Elton John AIDS Foundation. John took to Twitter to share the news, writing, "Just under a year ago, I called @edsheeran to see if he wanted to make a Christmas single with me, and now it's nearly here! 'Merry Christmas' will be out Fri 3 Dec with all proceeds from this year's Christmas period going to the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation & [the Elton John Aids Foundation]." Written by both Sheeran and John and produced by Steve Mac, the collaboration is the first time the two have worked together on a song together, despite being friends for the last decade. The Jason Koenig-directed accompanying official video below, which features Mr. Blobby, Jonathan Ross, Big Narstie, Michael McIntyre and The Darkness, as the cast recreate scenes from classic Christmas videos including Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’; Shakin’ Stevens’ ‘Merry Christmas’; The Snowman’s "Walking in the Air;" East 17’s "Stay Another Day" and more. Be sure to watch for the 2021 Official Christmas Number One race kicks off at 12.01 am on December 17 until 11.59 pm on December 23. Other contenders for the title include Adele, ABBA and George Ezra.