Sir Elton John bags ninth Official Number 1 album as he rockets to the top of the charts with Diamonds

Congratulations are in order for Sir Elton John, who celebrated his ninth official number 1 album with Diamonds on Friday.

The 77-year-old music legend’s collection of hits, a chart-topper since its release in 2017, finally rose to the top in its 374th week on the chart.

The record was bolstered by limited edition releases in brand new formats, including cassettes for the first time.

The Pinner-born star’s latest compilation debuted at No. 5 during its opening week in 2017 before peaking at No. 2.

It has not left the Official Albums Chart Top 100 since its release, and has by far more weeks in the charts than any other Elton LP.

Additionally, Diamonds claims the most consecutive weeks in the Official Albums Chart Top 40 ever and claims the most weeks in the Top 40 before reaching that coveted No. 1 spot.

Diamonds now joins Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player (1973), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973), Caribou (1974), Elton John’s Greatest Hits (1974), Sleeping With The Past (1989), The Very Best Of Elton John (1990), joint PNAU album Good Morning To The Night (2012) and The Lockdown Sessions (2021) in Elton’s number of UK chart toppers.

The LP’s new variants also claim No. 1 on this week’s Official Vinyl Albums Chart and Official Record Store Chart.

Speaking exclusively to the Official Charts, Elton John said: ‘I’m so happy to have a Number 1 album in the UK with Diamonds.

“It came out in 2017, which feels like a lifetime ago. This is the first time since its release that it has topped the charts. I’ve been blessed to have so many incredible things happen in my career during that time.

“I am overjoyed and would like to sincerely thank all my incredible fans for their continued love and support.”

Elsewhere, Sabrina Carpenter’s Top 5 stint is anything but Short N’ Sweet as she holds steady at No. 2, with SZA’s expanded SOS Deluxe: LANA edition also seeing her strong at No. 3.

One of the official biggest albums of 2024, Noah Kahan’s enduring Stick Season is on the rise again, rising three in a return to the Top 10 (9).

This week’s highest new entry comes courtesy of Lil Baby, who earns his fifth UK Top 40 LP with fourth studio album WHAM (an acronym for Who Hard As Me) (12).

Previously, the Atlanta rapper saw success with Gunna team-up Drip Harder (12), 2018’s Street Gossip (50), 2020’s My Turn (6), 2021 Lil Durk collaboration project The Voice Of The Heroes (5) and 2022 LP It’s Just me (3).

Other big winners this week include Calvin Harris, whose latest compilation 96 Months scores eight (30), and Post Malone, with The Diamond Collection jumping nine back into the Top 40 (37).

The achievement comes just after Elton shared a glimpse of his family’s Christmas with a collection of photos from his festivities.

The music legend recently revealed that he lost his sight due to an infection and can no longer see, read or view anything.

Elton shared snaps of his holidays with husband David Furnish on Instagram earlier this month.

In one fell swoop, Elton beamed as he sat next to David for his music company Rocket Entertainment’s Christmas lunch.

Meanwhile, he also showed off a lavish birthday cake for his son Zachary and their adorable black Labradors relaxing under the tree.

The singer’s Christmas decor was typically quirky, with tables full of colorful crockery and iconic tree decorations from the Rocketman himself and Miranda Priestley of Devil Wears Prada.

Elton shared the photos and wrote: ‘Random holiday photo dump. From the Rocket Team’s Christmas lunch to Zachary’s birthday. We relaxed and took it easy. So beautiful

“I hope everyone enjoyed a peaceful and joyful holiday season with family and friends. See you in 2025 Love, E xx.’

Elton’s cozy Christmas came after he revealed last month that his ‘health has never been better’, despite ongoing problems after losing his sight.

Elton appeared on Good Morning America with his husband David in December to talk to Robin Roberts about his life, career and the personal challenges addressed in his new documentary.

In the interview, the music legend explained: ‘Unfortunately I lost my sight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the South of France and it’s now been four months since I’ve lost my sight.

“And my left eye isn’t the best, so. There is hope and encouragement that things will turn out well and we are taking an initiative to try to make things better. That’s really what we’re focusing on right now.”

When asked to reveal more about his current health to reassure fans, Sir Elton joked: ‘David and I always have our blood tests done every six months in Los Angeles. Our health has never been better.

‘It’s never lucky that something like this happens. I can’t see anything, I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything.’

The hitmaker, who played his final shows last summer, revealed his vision problems in September.

He posted a lengthy post on his Instagram, explaining how he has been “recovering at home” for the past few months.

Elton wrote: ‘Over the summer I suffered a serious eye infection which unfortunately leaves me with limited vision in one eye.

‘I am healing, but it is an extremely slow process and it will take some time for vision to return to the affected eye.

‘I am so grateful for the excellent team of doctors and nurses and my family who have looked after me so well over the past few weeks.’

Elton concluded: ‘I have spent the summer quietly recuperating at home, and I feel positive about the progress I have made in my healing and recovery so far.’

And his health problems have undermined any new music from the star.

Elsewhere in the interview he said: ‘I can do something like that, but going into the studio and recording I don’t know because I can’t see any lyrics to begin with.

“We’re taking an initiative to get it better, but right now we’re really focusing on that.”