Robbie Williams Breaks Beatles Record With Sixteenth UK Number One

Robbie Williams has achieved a feat that few could have imagined possible in the heyday of Britpop or even during the golden era of The Beatles. On January 16, 2026, Williams' latest album, Britpop, soared to the top of the UK album charts, becoming his 16th solo number one. This milestone means that Williams has now surpassed The Beatles to claim the record for the most number one albums by any artist in UK chart history, according to BBC News and the Official Charts Company.

For Williams, the news is both astonishing and deeply meaningful. "This is unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable," he told BBC News, clearly moved by the magnitude of his accomplishment. In his trademark style, Williams added, "I've always said my success has been the equivalent of stretching an elastic band from Stoke-on-Trent to the Moon. Well, I reckon the elastic band just got longer, and now it's orbiting Venus." He went on to reflect, "It's just sensational what has happened. I feel like the Forrest Gump of pop."

Williams' journey to this historic moment has been anything but straightforward. His solo career launched in 1997 with Life Thru A Lens, following a dramatic departure from the boy band Take That. The cover art for Britpop even nods to that tumultuous period, referencing a famous photograph of Williams at Glastonbury in 1995—bleached blonde hair, missing tooth and all—an image that marked his break from the band and the start of his solo path.

"I'm going to take this week, at least, to remind myself of how lucky I am," Williams told BBC News. "Because for a while, I didn't get to do that because of mental illness or whatever. But now I am firmly in a place where the garden is blossoming, and I'm just surveying the pastures. And, I think that's the biggest achievement, that I can sit in that [moment] and take a deep breath and smile."

Williams is currently in Paris, enjoying a weekend break with his wife, Ayda Field, to celebrate the occasion. The celebrations, he joked, would be a far cry from the wild parties of the 1990s: "with a Coke Zero and a salad." It's a nod to how much has changed for the star, who has spoken openly about his struggles with addiction and mental health in the past. These days, gratitude and perspective seem to be his guiding lights.

Britpop itself is a loving homage to the golden era of 1990s British music. Williams has described it as "the album that I wanted to write after I left Take That," capturing the energy and swagger of bands like Oasis and Elastica. The album features some notable collaborations: Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes joins Williams on the glam-stomp anthem "Cocky," while former Take That bandmate and one-time rival Gary Barlow appears on "Morrissey," a song written from the perspective of a delusional stalker. The record's nostalgic sound and playful spirit have resonated with critics and fans alike.

Rolling Stone UK awarded Britpop four stars, describing Williams as sounding "liberated" and "dancing to the beat of his own drum." The review noted, "The result is a record which sees Robbie sounding more liberated and delivering some of his best songs in years. It's unrepentantly mad, as illustrated by the swirling guitars on 'Rocket,' but this constant sense of unpredictability is a strength. Here's Robbie leaning into what he's always done best: not giving a fuck and dancing to the beat of his own drum." The Guardian also praised the album as "a wayward yet winning time-machine trip to the 90s," while the NME offered a more measured take, calling it "bold, it's a laugh, and he's done it his way. That's what makes him Robbie."

Across his career, Williams now boasts 21 number one albums when including his work with Take That, whose chart-topping LPs such as Everything Changes and Progress helped cement his place in British pop history. Only Paul McCartney, with a combined total of 23 number one albums from his solo work and time with The Beatles, stands ahead of Williams in the overall tally, as noted by BBC News.

Williams' chart dominance is all the more impressive when considering the competition. This week, the top five albums in the UK also featured Madison Beer’s third album locket and Nathan Evans’ collaborative record Angels’ Share with SAINT PHNX. Yet it was Williams who claimed the top spot, further solidifying his status as a British music icon.

Martin Talbot, Chief Executive Officer of the Official Charts Company, was quick to congratulate Williams on his extraordinary achievement. "Congratulations Robbie! There are chart records and there are chart records – and Robbie Williams’ achievement today in securing his record 16th UK Number 1 album is simply extraordinary. Not even the confident young 16-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent would have believed this were possible when he joined Take That back in 1990, but here he is, on top of the world, the UK’s number 1 album artist – of all time! Just let that sink in, Robbie!"

Williams' discography is a testament to his staying power and versatility. From his debut Life Thru A Lens (1997) to I've Been Expecting You (1998), Sing When You're Winning (2000), and the swing-inspired Swing When You're Winning (2001), Williams has continually reinvented himself. His only studio album not to reach number one is 2009’s Reality Killed The Video Star, which peaked at number two—a rare miss in an otherwise stellar run.

As for how Williams' family is handling his newfound record-breaking status, the singer remains refreshingly grounded. He recalled, "A couple of weeks ago, I was with my American in-laws. And I said, to my mother-in-law, 'You know, Gwen, if I get the next number one album, I've had more number one albums than anyone ever.' And my daughter Teddy, under her breath, turned to the side and went, 'In the UK.' So, you know, I won't get too carried away."

For a man who once teetered on the edge of self-destruction, this moment is about more than just numbers or trophies. It's a celebration of resilience, reinvention, and, as Williams himself puts it, the ability to "sit in that [moment] and take a deep breath and smile." As the elastic band of his career stretches further than ever before, Williams stands as a testament to the enduring power of British pop—and the personal triumphs that can come with it.