Sheeran takes top spot in first chart of the year
Ed Sheeran has claimed the first number ones of the year after topping both the album and singles charts.
While Divide holds the top spot in the album chart, single Perfect has claimed a fifth week running in pole position, marking the fourth time that the album and one of its tracks have dominated both lists together.
This year’s opening week has seen a major shuffle of the singles list, now empty of Christmas tunes.
Sheeran’s collaboration with Eminem on River starts 2018 at number two, while rapper and comedian Big Shaq’s viral hit Man’s Not Hot jumped to number three. In the albums list, Sam Smith’s The Thrill Of It All holds second position.
With the film awards season on the way, the soundtrack to musical extravaganza The Greatest Showman – about PT Barnum, starring Hugh Jackman – soared 15 places to number four.
It is the first motion picture cast recording to enter the top five since La La Land soundtrack last year.