They pipped the new Britney Spears album Circus, which entered the charts at No.2 in its first week on release. Take That were immediately behind Britney at No.3 with their remarkably similarly titled The Circus.

The charts are currently dominated by SonyBMG and Universal, who between them occupy all of the top twelve positions, with SonyBMG supplying a remarkable nine of those twelve.

Buoyed by her success with Snow Patrol's 'Run', Leona Lewis has held her position at No.4 with Spirit, which is now 37 weeks on the charts. Irish pop sensations The Script, meanwhile, have shown their sticking power, with their eponymous debut climbing five places to No.8, after 127 weeks on the charts.

Hot Press understands that plans are afoot for The Priests to tour next year. They were described by one industry source as "potentially bigger than the Pope." The Vatican was not available for comment.