Olivia Dean breaks chart record for British female artist

Olivia Dean has broken the record for a British female artist as her collaboration with Sam Fender spends a 10th week at number one, according to the Official Charts Company.

It means Rein Me In is the joint longest-running UK number one by a male/female duo, matching the record set by Rihanna and Jay-Z’s Umbrella in 2007.

No other British female artist has spent more weeks at number one with a song than Dean has with the track.

Tame Impala’s Dracula is at number two in the singles chart while Olivia Rodrigo’s Drop Dead is in third place and Michael Jackson’s 1983 hit Billie Jean is at number four.

Alex Warren completes the top five with Fever Dream.

Jackson’s greatest hits are at the top of the album charts following a surge in popularity for the late singer following the release of a film about his life.

Irish trio Kneecap have gone straight to number two with Fenian while Melanie C has broken a Spice Girl solo record with Sweat at number three – her highest-charting album since being part of the girl band, the Official Charts Company said.

Kneecap, whose 2024 debut album Fine Art went to number 42, have seen their second offering Fenian top this week’s Official Vinyl Albums Chart.

Sweat is Melanie C’s ninth studio album, and as well as being her highest-charting solo album, it tops Geri Halliwell-Horner’s Schizophonic and Emma Bunton’s A Girl Like Me, which both peaked at number four.

Melanie C, whose full name is Melanie Chisholm, told the Official Charts Company: “I’m honestly blown away by all the love for Sweat.

“To achieve my highest-charting solo album ever and make Spice Girls history at the same time is incredibly special.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported this record – none of this happens without the fans who have been with me every step of the way.

“Thank you for streaming, buying, listening and believing in this album.

This really means so much to me.”
The Essential Michael Jackson returns to number one in the albums chart for the first time in 17 years off the back of the biopic Michael, which was released in cinemas last month.

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The greatest hits compilation was released in 2005 and also went to number one in 2009, when it spent seven weeks at the summit following his death.

Two other albums also saw a surge – 1982’s Thriller jumps in at number six while 1987’s Bad is at number eight.

Other Jackson songs in the singles chart include Beat It – also from 1983 – at number 10, 1979’s Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough at 15 and 1969 Jackson 5 track I Want You Back at number 33.

Last week’s number one album, The Great Divide by US singer Noah Kahan, is at number four while Dean’s chart-topping The Art Of Loving drops down to number five.