The PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd) chart has officially placed Ed Sheeran on top as the most played artist of 2015.
The chart records plays from radio and TV airplay, adverts and spins in public venues to judge who comes out on top. Sheeran's second studio album x had plenty of bangers on it that were omnipresent in 2015. 'Thinking Out Loud', 'Photograph' and 'Bloodstream' all contributed to Sheeran beating Taylor Swift, Olly Murs and Jess Glynne to the top of the list. The top end of the list is dominated by UK artists while acts such as Rihanna, Katy Perry and Madonna follow later down the line. Adele still managed to make the list despite 25 only being released in November of 2015. A PPL spokesperson promises that the London belter will have much more of an impact in the 2016 chart.
Although Sheeran was the most played artist, Mark Ronson's 'Uptown Funk' took away the title of the most played song. Ronson beat off competition from Ellie Goulding's 'Love Me Like You Do' and James Bay's 'Hold Back The River'.
So who will top the 2016 chart? With almost half the year gone by already, it's all still to play for!
Most Played Artists 2015
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
Olly Murs
Take That
Ellie Goulding
Sam Smith
Jess Glynne
Years & Years
Mark Ronson
Maroon 5
Coldplay
Calvin Harris
James Bay
George Ezra
Madonna
Rihanna
Queen
Michael Jackson
Katy Perry
Adele

Most Played Tracks 2015
'Uptown Funk' - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
'Love Me Like You Do' - Ellie Goulding
'Hold Back The River' - James Bay
'King' - Years & Years
'Hold My Hand' - Jess Glynne
'Thinking Out Loud' - Ed Sheeran
'Sugar' - Maroon 5
'Want To Want Me' - Jason Derulo
'Up' - Olly Murs feat. Demi Lovato
'Style' - Taylor Swift