The Evening Standard may have said

“It wasn’t Chico Time. It has never been Chico Time. It will never be Chico Time.”

But they may have to eat their words this weekend, as it looks likely that former stripper and goat herder Chico Slimani is going to reach the number one spot in the UK singles chart with his debut single ‘It’s Chico Time’!

HMV’s Gennaro Castaldo said: “There’s been a growing feeling that Chico was leaving it a bit late to release a single following his X-Factor success, especially as Chantelle and Celebrity Big Brother have stolen the limelight in recent months.

“However, this first day sales performance shows that there is still a lot of interest in his rather engaging brand of entertainment.

“His challenge now is to show that he’s more than just a one-trick novelty act and that he has the talent and personality to fashion a successful pop career.”

Bookmaker William Hill is offering odds of 4/1 that Chico will have another number one single this year – but reckon his fame won’t last for long.

“We closed the book in Chico having a number one back in December as we felt he was a certainty and it looks like we will be proved right.

“But in our view his days are numbered,” said spokesman Rupert Adams.