The 55-year-old music icon is regarded by many as the official queen of Christmas thanks to her timeless classic All I Want For Christmas Is You.

But the chart-topping songstress is struggling to acknowledge that the 1994 smash hit is now officially 30 years old.

Speaking on Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, the singer quipped when told of the 30-year anniversary, "I don't like the word 'time' and 'thirty', so I don't know what that means."

She added, "I would have to say it seems real that it's been thirty minutes since I put out All I Want For Christmas Is You."

Despite her reluctance on the radio, Carey has fully embraced the anniversary of her festive hit in other ways - as she is re-releasing the track this year with new artwork.

Sharing her news via social media at the beginning of October, the We Belong Together star wrote, "While it is definitely not time to listen to Christmas music yet... I wanted to share a glimpse of #MerryChristmas30 with you!"

Posing in a Santa jumpsuit for one image, and a cream dress for a second, the star added, "An homage to the original album cover, here is the cover art for two of the four new All I Want For Christmas Is You physical singles."