U.K. CHARTS: WEEK FOUR AT #1 FOR 30

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 of any album this year and today has nearly double the sales of its closest rival, Sheeran’s = (Atlantic).

This week’s highest-new-albums entry is 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, while 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 YouTuber LadBaby, though, who hit #1 at Christmas the last three years in a row with a charity release benefiting The Trussell Trust. This year he's 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. Hits by Wham! (#3), Mariah Carey (#4), Shakin’ Stevens (#6) and The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl (#7) all hold steady in the Top 10 from last week, while Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (MCA Nashville) is up two to #8.

The sole gainer in the Top 10 this week not Christmas-related comes courtesy of Sam Fender, who rebounds six places to #9 with “Seventeen Going Under” (Polydor).