Cher unveils new CHRISTMAS album artwork – as fans react with relief at having a break from Mariah Carey

Cher has finally confirmed that she is set to release her first ever Christmas album. 

The 77-year-old icon shared the festive news on Thursday, presenting the artwork for the LP as she asked her 3.9M followers: ‘Are you spending Christmas with me?’

The answer appeared to be a resounding yes, as many replied with excitement and some, with relief even, at having a different option this December other than the omnipresent Mariah Carey. 

‘Sorry Mariah, I’m with Cher this Christmas,’ one fan tweeted in response to the news. 

Mariah Carey has long been considered the ‘Queen of Christmas’ thanks to her mega-hit All I Want for Christmas Is You, an unavoidable Yuletide smash, first released back in 1994. 

‘Mariah better watch out!! Cher is gonna take over Christmas!!’ another fan wrote, as they engaged in some diva rivalry. 

Give it a rest: Cher fans appeared to be delighted that there was a new option for a festive diva album, as Mariah Carey has long been considered the ‘Queen of Christmas’ 

Another joked: ‘Take a seat Mariah ! @cher is coming for CHRISTMAS!!!!’ 

Cher’s new album – which she has been cryptically teasing on her Twitter account – is said to include rare duets.

‘I really am proud of this. It’s a Cher Christmas album. It’s not your mother’s Christmas album,’ she said on Good Morning Britain this week.

‘I’m really, really excited because there’s millions of people on it!’ she added.

‘I’ve never had duets! I’ve never had people on any of my records! This was a last-minute thing… but they’re special. All of them.’

Ageless beauty: Cher talked about her Christmas album during an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Monday

Of course, Cher isn’t the first pop diva outside of Mariah. 

Kylie Minogue, Sia, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson, and even Justin Bieber have all released festive-themed releases over the years. 

Whitney Houston famously released One Wish: The Holiday Album in 2003, her sixth studio album. 

One pop icon who is yet to join in on the fun is Madonna, who perhaps deems the commercial opportunity somewhat beneath her. 

No further details on Cher’s release have been revealed, though a Jingle Bell edit of Believe would surely be a welcome treat.

Meanwhile, on her recent GMB appearance – Cher also spoke about how long hair is the key to her youthful appearance. 

Christmas Cher style! The legendary singer will no doubt be sporting some fun festive new looks for this Yuletide era (pictured age 73 in 2019)

Cher explained: ‘I remember when my friend Paulette and I were talking about when we were going to cut our hair and stop wearing jeans.’ 

She continued: ‘I can’t believe I will be 80 at some point, sooner than I wish. And I will still be wearing my jeans and I will still be wearing long hair.

‘Genes in my family are pretty amazing.

‘I don’t know if not feeling old makes you younger. I’m not sure. I keep up with the trends and I have lots of young friends. 

‘I have old friends too. Honestly, I’m not trying to feel young, I’m not trying to be young, I am what I am, whatever that means.’