Artists With Most Number 1s [UK]

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This, possibly the most important record, is held by Elvis Presley. He has had 21 chart-toppers, 18 of them different songs (three titles have topped the chart on two distinctly separate chart runs as part of the series of re-issues to commemorate what would have been Elvis' 70th birthday in 2005). You can see how this record has 'changed hands' over the years here.

The Beatles are the top group with 17 number 1s. Madonna is the top woman with 10. Top female group is The Spice Girls with 9.

Only six acts in chart history have got into double figures with their tally of chart-toppers. They are: Elvis Presley (20, 18 different songs), The Beatles (17), Cliff Richard (14 : six of them with The Shadows, one with The Drifters, one with The Young Ones), Westlife (12 : one of them with Mariah Carey), The Shadows (11 : six of them with Cliff Richard, two of these also with The Norrie Paramor Strings) and Madonna (10)

Westlife hold the record for getting into double-figures in the shortest time (2 years and 10 months [ie. 149 weeks] - more than 3 months quicker than The Beatles (who took 165 weeks). Unlike Westlife, however, The Beatles tended to spend several weeks at the summit, slowing down their release rate.)

It is worth pointing out that Paul McCartney has featured on more Number 1s than any other artist. He loses out in this section due to his diverse range of credits. He has, in fact, appeared on 24 Number 1s; solo (1), with Wings (1), Stevie Wonder, The Christians et al (1), Ferry Aid (1), Band Aid (1), Band Aid 20 (1) and The Beatles (17). John Lennon has featured in 20 chart-toppers, three solo Number 1s adding to his tally of 17 with The Beatles.