by Julie Harding

They've seen the stage show, they've watched the film at the cinema – more than once – but it seems people can't get enough of the phenomenon that is Mamma Mia!

The DVD of the film based on Abba songs, which went on sale yesterday, was being snapped up at stores across the nation.

The hit musical's writer, Catherine Johnson, who lives in Leigh Woods, said: "I think a lot of women will be getting a Mamma Mia! DVD for Christmas.

"I had a message from my producer saying that there were queues of people, mainly men, buying the DVD in Tesco in Regent Street.

"I can imagine every household in the country singing to Dancing Queen over the turkey on Christmas Day."

Catherine said she was skint when she wrote the words for the musical a decade ago.

It has since brought her about £25million and the screen adaptation this summer was a box office hit, taking £67 million since it was released in July.

The reaction to the film, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, was extraordinary, with audiences singing along to the songs and dancing in the aisles.

Abba hits were playing in the Zavvi store in Cabot Circus yesterday when the Mamma Mia! DVD went on sale at £9.99.

Crowds of customers were heading for the display and were buying the film for themselves and for family members.

Abba fan Elaine Staniforth, 52, from Bath, bought two DVDs – one for herself and one for her mum.

"I've seen Mamma Mia! three times at the cinema and once at the theatre," she said.

"I can even forgive Pierce Brosnan for not being able to sing."

Store manager Mike Wilson said: "I've not seen the film myself but my girlfriend has and she loves it.

"Christmas is very much a time for musicals and Mamma Mia! is so popular.

"Every other customer has been buying the DVD this morning. I think by the end of the day we will have sold 300."

The store is giving away a book on Abba and Mamma Mia! with each DVD sold.

The DVD is set to topple Star Wars Trilogy as the best selling DVD before release, according to internet retailer Amazon.

It has become the retailer's third biggest-selling pre-order, just behind The Bourne Ultimatum, the biggest-selling DVD of 2007.

Sarah Hughes, DVD manager at Amazon in the UK, said: "We could well be looking at Mamma Mia! not only being our biggest selling pre-order of all time but our biggest selling DVD full stop."