Britpop is the singer’s 16th album to top the UK Official Albums Chart
Robbie Williams has broken the record for the most UK No.1 albums after Britpop became his 16th chart-topper. The star had previously shared the honour with The Beatles, whom he leapfrogged following the surprise release of his 13th solo LP on 16 January.
Williams tied with the Fab Four’s record last January after the release of his Better Man OST. But following Britpop’s success, he now leads ahead of The Beatles, followed by The Rolling Stones and Taylor Swift on 14, Elvis Presley (13), Madonna (12) and Bruce Springsteen (12)
Robbie says: “Britpop is the record I’ve always wanted to make, and seeing it become my 16th No.1 album means everything to me. Thank you to all the fans who have been with me every step of the way. You’ve made my dreams come true.”
A feature-documentary about the journey of the critically acclaimed album will be released later this year, directed by Charlie Lightening and produced by Lorton Entertainment.
Simply Extraordinary
Martin Talbot, Chief Executive Officer, Official Charts, said: “Congratulations Robbie! There are chart records and there are chart records – and Robbie Williams’ achievement today in securing his record 16th UK No.1 album is simply extraordinary.
“Not even the confident young 16-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent would have believed this were possible when he joined Take That back in 1990, but here he is, on top of the world, the UK’s No.1 album artist – of all time! Just let that sink in, Robbie!”
Williams had initially postponed Britpop’s launch from October 2025 to February after learning its original release date would clash with Taylor Swift’s The Life Of A Showgirl. “I’m still a big deal but I can’t compete with that one,” he admitted to BBC Radio 1.
Featuring the singles Rocket, Spies, Human, Pretty Face and All My Life, the singer announced the release by saying: “You thought it was gonna be then… then we decided it wasn’t… and now I’ve decided it’s now. Ladies and gentlemen: Britpop – the album.”
On the morning the LP dropped, its cover art was projected onto various famous London landmarks in celebration. A nod to the title, the sleeve features a painting of one of Robbie’s most iconic looks, his red tracksuit outfit that he wore to attend Glastonbury Festival in 1995 at the height of the Britpop era.
Take The Crown
Robbie’s first chart-topping album as a solo artist was his 1997 debut Life Thru A Lens. His other No.1s across his solo career are – I’ve Been Expecting You (1998), Sing When You’re Winning (2000), Swing When You’re Winning (2001), Escapology (2002), Greatest Hits (2004), Intensive Care (2005), Rudebox (2006), In and Out of Consciousness: Greatest Hits 1990-2010 (2010), Take The Crown (2012), Swings Both Ways (2013), The Heavy Entertainment Show (2016), The Christmas Present (2019), XXV (2022), Better Man (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2025) and Britpop (2026).
All but one of Robbie’s studio albums, 2009’s Trevor Horn-produced Reality Killed The Video Star, has claimed the top spot.
Britpop is available in a variety of formats including CD, deluxe CD, cassette, alt cassette and digitally, while signed bundles are also available for a limited time via the official Robbie Williams store here.
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