Take That are favourites to secure this year's Christmas number one with their new album 'Progress'.

The group's odds have been slashed to 2/5 following their much-talked about appearance on The X Factor on Sunday (November 14).

The album, which was released today (November 15), is the Take That's first new studio effort since they reunited with Robbie Williams earlier this year.

The band are 2/5 favourite with Ladbrookes and 4/9 favourite with William Hill to top the coveted festive countdown.

Take That's appearance on The X Factor was the first time all five members of the band had performed together live in fifteen years.

Their rendition of new single 'The Flood' was greeted favourably by the studio audience, but has received a mixed response from fans.

(by Jason Gregory)