Congratulations are in order for Sir Elton John, who celebrated his ninth Official Number 1 album with Diamonds on Friday.
A chart staple since its release in 2017, the 77-year-old music legend’s career-spanning hits collection finally surged to the summit in its 374th week on chart.
The record was bolstered by limited edition releases across brand-new formats, including cassette for the first time.
The Pinner-born star’s latest compilation debuted at Number 5 in its opening week back in 2017 and went on to peak at Number 2.
It hasn’t left the Official Albums Chart Top 100 since its release, and far and away boasts more weeks on chart than any other Elton LP.
Moreover, Diamonds claims the most consecutive weeks inside the Official Albums Chart Top 40 ever and claims the most weeks inside the Top 40 before reaching that coveted Number 1 spot.
Congratulations are in order for Sir Elton John , who celebrated his ninth Official Number 1 album with Diamonds on Friday
Elton said: ‘I’m overjoyed and want to sincerely thank all my incredible fans for their constant love and support’
Diamonds now joins Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player (1973), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973), Caribou (1974), Elton John’s Greatest Hits (1974), Sleeping With The Past (1989), The Very Best Of Elton John (1990), collaborative PNAU record Good Morning To The Night (2012) and The Lockdown Sessions (2021) in Elton’s tally of UK chart-toppers.
The LP’s new variants also claim Number 1 on this week’s Official Vinyl Albums Chart and Official Record Store Chart.
Speaking exclusively to Official Charts, Elton John said: ‘I’m so happy to have a UK Number 1 album with Diamonds.
‘It came out in 2017, which feels like a lifetime ago. This is the first time it’s topped the charts since its release. I’m blessed that so many incredible things have happened with my career during that time.
‘I’m overjoyed and want to sincerely thank all my incredible fans for their constant love and support.’
Elsewhere, Sabrina Carpenter’s Top 5 stint is anything but Short N’ Sweet, as she stays steady at Number 2, with SZA’s expanded SOS Deluxe: LANA edition also sees her hold strong at Number 3.
Noah Kahan’s enduring Stick Season, one of the Official biggest albums of 2024, is on the ascent once again, up three in a return to the Top 10 (9).
This week’s highest new entry comes courtesy of Lil Baby, who earns his fifth UK Top 40 LP with fourth studio album WHAM (an acronym for Who Hard As Me) (12).
Previously, the Atlanta rapper saw success with 2018 Gunna team-up Drip Harder (12), 2018’s Street Gossip (50), 2020’s My Turn (6), 2021 Lil Durk collaborative project The Voice Of The Heroes (5) and 2022 LP It’s Only Me (3).
The hitmaker, who played his final shows last summer, revealed his eyesight issues in September (pictured performing at Glastonbury 2023)
The achievement comes just after Elton shared a glimpse into his family Christmas with a collection of snaps from his festivities
The singer shared snaps of his iconic tree decorations of the Rocketman himself and Miranda Priestley from Devil Wears Prada
Other big winners this week include Calvin Harris, whose latest compilation 96 Months lifts eight (30), and Post Malone, with The Diamond Collection jumping nine back into the Top 40 (37).
The achievement comes just after Elton shared a glimpse into his family Christmas with a collection of snaps from his festivities.
The music legend recently opened up about losing his eyesight after an infection and as a result can’t see, read or watch anything.
Taking to Instagram earlier this month, Elton shared snaps from throughout his festive season with husband David Furnish.
In one snap, Elton beamed as he sat alongside David for his music company Rocket Entertainment’s Christmas lunch.
Meanwhile he also showed off a lavish birthday cake for his son Zachary and their adorable black Labradors relaxing under the tree.
The singer’s Christmas decor was typically quirky, with tables bursting with coloured crockery and iconic tree decorations of the Rocketman himself and Miranda Priestley from Devil Wears Prada.
Sharing the snaps, Elton wrote: ‘Random holiday photo dump. From the Rocket Team Christmas lunch to Zachary’s birthday. We’ve been relaaaaaaxing and taking it easy. So beautiful
Elton also showed off a lavish birthday cake for his son Zachary
The singer’s Christmas decor was typically quirky, with tables bursting with coloured crockery
He also shared an snap of his and David’s adorable black Labradors relaxing under the tree
Elton’s cosy Christmas came after he revealed last month that his ‘health has never been better’ despite ongoing struggles after losing his eyesight (pictured on stage in October)
‘Here’s hoping everyone enjoyed a peaceful and joyous holiday season with family and friends. See you in 2025 ❤️ Love, E xx.’
Elton’s cosy Christmas came after he revealed last month that his ‘health has never been better’ despite ongoing struggles after losing his eyesight.
Elton appeared Good Morning America alongside his husband David in December to chat with Robin Roberts about his life, career and the personal challenges featured in his new documentary.
Speaking in the interview, the music legend explained: ‘I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the South of France and it’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see.
‘And my left eye is not the greatest, so. There’s hope and encouragement that it will be okay and we’re taking an intiative to try and get it better. At the moment that’s really what we’re concentrating on.’
When asked to elaborate on his current health to put fans worried at ease, Sir Elton quipped: ‘David and I always have our blood tests every six months in Los Angeles. Our health has never been better.
‘It’s never fortunate for anything like this to happen. I can’t see anything, I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything.’
The hitmaker, who played his final shows last summer, revealed his eyesight issues in September.
The hitmaker, who played his final shows last summer, revealed his eyesight issues in September
He took to his Instagram with a lengthy post, explaining how he spent the past few months ‘recuperating at home.’
Elton wrote: ‘Over the summer, I’ve been dealing with a severe eye infection that has unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye.
‘I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye.
‘I am so grateful for the excellent team of doctors and nurses and my family, who have taken such good care of me over the last several weeks.’
Elton concluded: ‘I have been quietly spending the summer recuperating at home, and am feeling positive about the progress I have made in my healing and recovery thus far.’
And his health battles have undermined any new music from the star.
Elsewhere in the interview, he said: ‘I can do something like this, but going into the studio and recording I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start.
‘We’re taking an initiative to try and get it better, but at the moment that’s really what we’re concentrating on.’
