The "Prince of Pop" is currently leading the charge for a historic milestone in the British music industry. Robbie Williams has surged to the front of the midweek Official Albums Chart, putting him on track to secure a potential 16th UK Number 1 album with his latest release, BRITPOP.
If the Stoke-on-Trent star maintains his momentum through Friday, the victory will be more than just another chart-topper; it will make him the undisputed champion of the UK charts. Last year, the soundtrack to his biopic Better Man earned Williams his 15th Number 1, pulling him level with The Beatles for the most chart-topping albums by any artist. Now, as the Official Albums Chart celebrates its 70th anniversary, Robbie stands on the precipice of surpassing the Fab Four to claim the record outright.
A Strategic Masterstroke
The surge comes after a surprise move last Friday when Williams shocked the industry by dropping BRITPOP three weeks earlier than its scheduled release date. The gamble appears to be paying off. Not only is the new record dominating, but his legendary solo debut, Life Thru A Lens, is also experiencing a resurgence, currently eyeing a re-entry into the Top 20 at Number 16.
The Competition
Despite Robbie's strong lead, several contenders are hoping to "spoil the party." American singer Madison Beer is currently sitting at Number 2 with locket, which is set to become her highest-charting UK record to date. Following closely at Number 3 are East Midlands punk duo Sleaford Mods with their satirical project The Demise of Planet X.
Further down the Top 5, an all-Scottish collaboration between Nathan Evans and SAINT PHNX (Angels’ Share) is vying for the Number 4 spot, while Olivia Dean, who has dominated the top spot throughout early 2026, currently sits at Number 5 with The Art of Loving.
As the week progresses, all eyes are on the "Angels" singer to see if he can pull off this historic feat.
