Sheeran keeps UK music near top of the charts

Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith helped British music make up one in eight of the albums sold or streamed around the world last year.

Along with the Beatles, they were among UK artists leading global sales in 2017, according to analysis by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

British artists also made up nearly half of all album sales in the UK, as well as over a fifth of sales in Europe.

Globally, the UK share of 12.9 per cent is up from 12.5 per cent in 2016.

Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the BPI, said: “In 2017, we maintained our exceptional share of the world’s listening, consolidating our position as the second most successful music nation on earth, exporting more music than any country after the US.”