Robbie Williams overtakes The Beatles with 16th No. 1 album

Robbie Williams’ new album, Britpop, has become his 16th UK No. 1 album, overtaking the record set by The Beatles for most No. 1 albums of all time.

Twelve of William’s thirteen studio albums have hit No. 1 in the UK charts, as well as three greatest hits albums and the soundtrack of Better Man (a film based on Williams’ life).

Britpop was originally scheduled to be released in October of 2025, the same week as Taylor Swift’s album The Life of a Showgirl, but William’s pushed the release date back in order to avoid competition.

“It’s because of Taylor Swift,” he said to The Guardian at the time. “I could pretend it’s not, but it is. It’s selfish. I want a 16th No 1 album.”

The album itself has been a long time coming, according to Williams.

"I set out to create the album that I wanted to write and release after I left Take That in 1995,” said the artist.

Britpop beat out Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving, which has been in the top five for the past 17 weeks, and US artist Madison Beer’s new album Locket to claim the No. 1 spot.