Captain Tom Moore is now the oldest person to have a No.
1 single, after his cover of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care choir dominated the UK charts.
Tom Jones, whose song “(Barry) Islands in the Stream” reached No. 1 at the age of 68 in 2006, previously held the world record.
The 99-year-old war veteran who won the hearts of many after successfully raised money for the National Health Service is expected to hold the top spot on his 100th birthday on April 30.
The charity single also makes Ball, at 57 years, the seventh-oldest musician to claim a No 1.
If it continues to occupy its chart position, Moore will be the first ever centenarian to have a UK No. 1. Released to raise money for the NHS, the charity single racked up 82,000 combined chart sales, which makes it the fastest-selling single of 2020.
Moore, who recently awarded a Pride of Britain Award, welcomed the “wonderful news,” as he told the media, “My grandchildren can’t believe I am a chart-topper!”
He went on to send his gratitude for Bell, the choir, the people behind the scenes who helped release the single, and the public.
“We’re in this together, and I am for ever grateful for your support. And this just proves: you’ll never walk alone,” he added.
This is also a first for Ball, and said, “This is the most extraordinary thing, one of the proudest moments of my career, but it’s not about me, it’s about Captain Tom. Thank you for giving him a No 1 on his 100th birthday. You are the best, God bless ya.”
The sales from the single will be added to the £25 million the captain has already raised after walking 100 laps on his garden before his centenary.