Robbie Williams Surpasses The Beatles with Most U.K. No. 1 Albums

Riley Calderon

Published: January 24, 2026 6:36 AM ET

Robbie Williams Surpasses The Beatles with Most U.K. No. 1 Albums

Robbie Williams has made history by surpassing The Beatles for the most U.K. No. 1 albums. On January 23, he secured his 16th chart-topping album, titled *Britpop*. This achievement places him at the top of the all-time leaderboard, overtaking The Beatles, who previously shared the record with 15 No. 1 albums.

Robbie Williams’ Journey to the Top

Williams had been tied with The Fab Four since January 2025. That’s when his *Better Man* soundtrack hit No. 1. Now, with *Britpop*, his 13th studio album, he holds a definitive lead.

The Beatles’ Record History

The Beatles held the record since the release of *Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band* in 1967. They surpassed Elvis Presley with their eighth No. 1 album. Most of their studio albums reached the top, except for one—*Magical Mystery Tour*. Their compilation album *1*, released in 2000, included all 27 of their U.K. and U.S. chart-topping singles.

Release Changes and Competition

The release date for *Britpop* changed multiple times. Originally set for October 2025, it was pushed to February 2026. This shift occurred after Taylor Swift announced her upcoming album, *The Life of a Showgirl*. In a surprising move, Williams advanced *Britpop*’s release to January 16.

During a concert in London, Williams candidly acknowledged Swift’s impact on his release schedule. He jokingly referenced the competitive landscape, saying, “We’re all pretending [the scheduling change] is not about Taylor Swift, but it f–king is.” This reveals his determination to hold the record, stating, “How many times in your life do you get to have the most No. 1 albums the U.K. has f–king ever had?”

Career Highlights

Williams’ first U.K. No. 1 as a solo artist came in 1997 with *Life Thru a Lens*.
All his solo albums, except 2008’s *Reality Killed the Radio Star*, have achieved top chart placements.
His discography includes compilations, soundtracks, and a festive-themed album released in 2019.

Future Challenges and Competition

As Williams settles into his new record, he faces future challenges. The Rolling Stones, with 14 No. 1 albums, pose a threat. Swift is also a strong contender, having amassed 14 chart-toppers since 2012.

This Week’s Chart Highlights

Olivia Dean’s *The Art of Loving* debuts at No. 2.
Madison Beer’s *Locket* reaches a career-high at No. 3.
Nathan Evans and Saint PHNX land the No. 4 spot with *Angels’ Share*.
Fleetwood Mac’s *50 Years: Don’t Stop* falls to No. 5.
Sleaford Mods’ *The Demise of Planet X* marks their fifth top 10 album, sitting at No. 6.
A$AP Rocky’s *Don’t Be Dumb* debuts at No. 8.
EsDeeKid’s debut LP *Rebel* rises to No. 11 after a BRIT Awards nomination.

Robbie Williams continues to redefine success in the music industry, now standing as a record holder. His journey will be closely followed as he navigates future releases and maintains his lead over legendary artists.