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James Arthur and Bruno Mars have both sold a lot to get to the top of the UK charts

  • December 17, 2012
  • Brad O'Mance

X Factor winner and smile-averse guitar-botherer James Arthur has the UK's new Number One single with his cover of Shontelle's 'Impossible'.

Having sold over 490,000 copies it also becomes the fastest-selling single of the year and also the fastest-selling X Factor winners single since Alexandra Burke's 'Hallelujah' in 2008. Shontelle's original version of 'Impossible' is a re-entry at Number 22.

New at Number 2 is will.i.am and Britney Spears' aural abom­in­a­tion 'Scream & Shout', while last week's Number One 'The Power Of Love' by Gabrielle Aplin slips to Number 4.

There's a third new entry at Number 6 for Rihanna (and Mikky Ekko) with 'Stay', while 'Diamonds' is one place below that at Number 7.

On the album chart, Bruno Mars' 'Unorthodox Jukebox' enter at the 'top spot' with sales of 136,000, making it the fastest-selling solo album of the year so far. In fact, the top four albums all sold upwards of 100,000 'units' each, which is good news for the record labels, isn't it.

You can have a look at the singles and albums charts here if you like.

  • Britney Spears
  • bruno mars
  • james arthur
  • Rihanna
  • Shontelle
  • will.i.am
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Jessie J has postponed her tour to later next year

  • December 15, 2012
  • Sam Hine
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Gabriella Cilmi's put a short video of her singing a new song online

  • December 17, 2012
  • Brad O'Mance
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  • 1
    Congratulations to Charli XCX and Lorde: winners of the 2024 Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize
  • 2
    The 2024 Twenty Quid Music Prize: Shortlist
  • 3
    The 2023 Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize: Shortlist
  • 4
    Fine, let's do a Substack then.
  • 5
    The 2022 Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize: shortlist
  • 6
    2021 Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize: Laura Mvula wins
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