Adele’s 30 (Columbia) has claimed a fourth consecutive week at #1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart. Over on singles, Ed Sheeran and Elton John remain on top for a second week.
30 has spent the most consecutive weeks at #1 for an album this year and has nearly double the sales of its closest rival today, Sheeran’s Equals (Atlantic).
This week’s highest new albums entry goes to Paul Weller’s An Orchestrated Songbook (Polydor), which debuts at #4.
Elton John’s former chart-topper, The Lockdown Sessions (EMI), is up two to #7, while Juice WRLD’s posthumous Fighting Demons (Interscope) enters at #8.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse’s Barn (Reprise) debuts at #16, and Doja Cat’s Planet Her (Kemosabe/RCA) soars six places to #22 following its physical release.
On the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart, Sheeran and John’s “Merry Christmas” (Atlantic) remains at #1 and is now a front-runner to claim the coveted Christmas top spot next week.
The track has competition from YouTubers LadBaby, who have hit #1 at Christmas for the last three years in a row with a charity release in aid of The Trussell Trust. This year, they’ve enlisted the help of Sheeran and John for their comedy track, “Sausage Rolls for Everyone.”
Elsewhere, a new record has been set for the most Christmas songs to land in the Top 40 a week prior to the #1 race, with 24 in the chart. Inside the Top 10, hits by Wham! (#3), Mariah Carey (#4), Shakin’ Stevens (#6) and The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl (#7) all hold steady from last week, while Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” (MCA Nashville) is up two to #8.
The sole non-festive gainer in the Top 10 this week comes courtesy of Sam Fender, who rebounds six places to #9 with “Seventeen Going Under” (Polydor).
