"The algorithm actually came to us quite easily," explains Dr. Murphy. "We had initially been working on the wrong assumptions when we approaches our research. We had mistakenly believed that by some mathematical combination involving the symbols of each of his albums (+, x, ÷), Sheeran was somehow manipulating numbers to retain his hold over the Irish Charts."

"The reality of the situation was actually a lot simpler," says Dr. McGuirk, beaming proudly. "We determined that Ed Sheeran's place on the charts is directly related to album sales, meaning that - theoretically - if people were to purchase more of a different album, they may contribute to a situation whereby Ed Sheeran is not at the top of the Irish Charts.

"This is all very technical stuff," Dr. McGuirk warns, "but we have researchers looking into what other albums are out there."

When asked whether their research had involved government funding, both doctors said that they would prefer not to answer.

More as we get it.

Elswhere on the album charts, little change in the Top 10, although Steps' reunion album Tears On The Dancefloor sees them enter in at No. 10.

1 DIVIDE - ED SHEERAN
2 DAMN. - KENDRICK LAMAR
3 LIFE LOVE FLESH BLOOD - IMELDA MAY
4 MORE LIFE - DRAKE
5 MEMORIES - DO NOT OPEN - CHAINSMOKERS
6 HUMAN - RAG'N'BONE MAN
7 X - ED SHEERAN
8 SO GOOD - ZARA LARSSON
9 MOANA - MOTION PICTURE CAST RECORDING
10 TEARS ON THE DANCEFLOOR - STEPS