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CAPTAIN TOM MOORE has become the oldest artist to reach number one on the UK singles chart as his rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone landed in the top spot in time for his 100th birthday.
The war veteran has already raised more than £28 million for the NHS by walking laps of his garden; and his song, with Michael Ball and The NHS Voices Of Care Choir, is part of his continued fundraising during the coronavirus crisis.
His chart victory comes after his closest competitor, The Weeknd, asked his fans to support Captain Tom, rather than back his track Blinding Lights.
Speaking from his home in Bedfordshire, Captain Tom said: “What wonderful news to receive today, a number one single and record-breaker too – my grandchildren can’t believe I am a chart topper!
I have to thank Michael Ball, the NHS Voices Of Care Choir and everyone behind the scenes, who shared their talents and expertise in order to raise money for the NHS, to whom we owe so much.
“And, of course, the public for buying the single and donating – we’re in this together, and I am forever grateful for your support.
“And this just proves you’ll never walk alone.”
You’ll Never Walk Alone is now the fastest selling single of 2020, according to the Official Charts Company, clinching the top spot with combined chart sales of 82,000 units, with The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights trailing in second place with a tally of 69,000.
Ball told OfficialCharts.com: “This is the most extraordinary thing, one of the most proudest moments of my career, but it’s not about me, it’s about Captain Tom.
“Thank you for giving him a number one on his 100th birthday. You are the best, God bless ya.”
Martin Talbot, chief executive Official Charts Company, added: “The sight of Captain Tom Moore and Michael Ball at the top of the official singles chart this week should lift everybody’s spirits in these extraordinary times.
“We are absolutely delighted to see them at the pinnacle and setting new landmarks as they go – including a record as the oldest number one singles artist of all time.
“It has been a roller coaster week, starting with a big initial lead for Captain Tom, before The Weeknd closed the gap yesterday to almost nothing – before a massive surge in the final day by Captain Tom.
“Huge thanks to The Weeknd for lending his support at the eleventh hour. But this is Captain Tom’s week – congratulations sir and happy birthday for next week. You are a hero to us all.”
At 99 years and 11 months, Captain Tom is the oldest artist to reach the top spot on the Official Singles Chart in its near 70-year history.
He will also become the first centenarian to top the charts as he will turn 100 on Thursday, while he still holds the number one spot.
The BBC’s Live Lounge Allstars charity cover of Foo Fighters song Times Like These entered the chart at number five within hours of release, while St Jhn’s Roses slipped from number two to three and Drake’s Tootsie Slide slid from third spot to fourth.
Captain Tom also broke two Guinness World Records, including for the most money raised by an individual charity walk, and as the oldest person to reach number one in the UK charts.
The individual charity walk record was previously held by Canadian athlete Terry Fox, who raised £27,201,900 (adjusted from £5.4 million according to inflation) in 1980.
Captain Tom said: “I feel very honoured to receive recognition from Guinness World Records.
“My charity walk has raised more money than I could have possibly imagined and I am so thankful to those who have donated money and bought the single so we could achieve these records together and raise money for our incredible NHS during these difficult times.
“These really are Guinness World Records titles for all of us.”
Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday said: “Tom’s remarkable efforts prove that age should never be a barrier to making a difference, to inspiring the nation or to breaking world records.
“The fact that this indomitable 99-year-old has achieved all three of these things makes him truly a national hero that rightly deserves his place in the history books.
“We’re proud to be able to welcome him into the Guinness World Records family.”
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If true it’s seem Enda won’t be there to see it happen, which will be nice!
@Les Behan: Would not count on Enda not being there he is a crafty one and only likes to play the fool. He is as sneaky as they come just ask poor old Joanie.
When do the Irish get a vote or do our politicians not trust us to give us a vote on anything that matters?
Regardless of what Enda thinks it’s Goodbye, so long, Adieu to the most recalcitrant member of the EU
Why can’t our political representatives set out our position on Brexit …..what are our ‘red lines’ ?
The train is coming
This country has a veto and needs to use it if our national interests are significantly affected
We could be affected more than almost anyone else from a ‘National Question’ and trade and indeed travel perspective
Brexit is probably the biggest single matter to affect us since joining the EU itself yet our politicians and indeed our journalists are looking at it as if the country is a somewhat interested bystander….sitting on our hands and hoping it will work out ok.
We have serious skin in this game and need to wise up and get in there setting out exactly what we want
The conversation needs to start and the media and political classes need to engage the public – otherwise we will be backed in to an unsuitable corner by parties whose interests are not ours.
Depends what you think the “national interest” is. You might think it would be the UK staying in the single market and openly trading, but i’m not so sure. In that scenario, multinationals might choose the UK instead of Ireland because they can trade freely across Europe but be outside the jurisdiction of the EU commission (eg Apple might move there).
No, what i think is in Irelands interests is if it becomes clear that Ireland is the only English speaking country with full access to the EU market. It might be tough for our farmers initially if its tougher to export to the UK, but overall we would be better off with time.
It would make no sense for Ireland (or any other member state) to try to force the UK to stay in the EU. It’s a voluntary union.
I bet people hearing Kenny make this statement leads them to believe he actually has a strategy and plan in place for dealing with this potentially existential crisis for Ireland. Oh no, I’m afraid not. That’s not how we do things in Ireland.
What exactly would we use a veto for?
Enda can predict what the UK government does, but doesn’t have a clue closer to home.
Can he predict the winner of the 3.45 at Goodwood today
@Chris Kirk: If you need the winner at the 3.45………ring Bertie.
No 4 Sky hunter. You heard it here folks
@Stephen Kilbane:
Flying Shite – Won`t be licked
Hate to say I told you so
He also said, “We in fg are totally united on the issue of water charges”. In other news, Irish water has been found guilty of failing to improve water quality in Galway
Like everything enda says, I’ll be taking this with a large pinch of salt.
Or March, or April… of some year…
@Fiona Fitzgerald: Maybe May
Enda Kenny predicts.. Lol.. Ok
A few months ago Enda was campaigning around Britain proclaiming a Doomsday Scenario ‘The end is nigh’ if Britain exited the EU.
Honestly, only a fool or a Fine Tory die hard would take anything this man says seriously anymore.
@Sam Palmer: They haven’t left the EU yet. Perhaps the end will be nigh. For Britain.
This may actually be one that Kenny calls correctly. May wants to try hold off for a while, but she has the problem of her back bench pushing hard for 50 to be activated ASAP. Even some of her Ministers want it.
A stopped clock is right twice a day…
They are afraid of their lives to invoke and shocked that rest of Europe are saying invoke it before any negotiations. Their hand weaker than their Empire mentality realised.
lol…Brexit Britain running around with a gun pointed at their own foot, shouting “we’re going to shoot, don’t think we won’t! We’ll probably do it in January, might take us a few years to bleed out”.
Rest of Europe looks on in bemusement. The Brits really are embarrassing themselves.
Loading him with antibiotics is an unhelpful reference when we as a nation overuse abuse antibiotics
Before or after the Endaexet
have your say