Cheryl Cole tops British charts

Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole went straight to the top of the British charts on Sunday, with her debut solo release becoming the biggest-selling single of the year.

The Official UK Charts Company said the 26-year-old had smashed the record for fastest-selling single of the year so far with over 290,000 sales of "Fight For This Love".

"I can't take this all in. It's hard for me to put into words how I feel. I have this permanent smile on my face," Cole said.

Cole, wife of England football star Ashley Cole, has made a name for herself outside Girls Aloud as a judge on "The X Factor," a television talent contest that heavily influences the British charts nowadays.

"Other than X Factor winners, very few singles get anywhere near 300,000 sales in their first week," said Martin Talbot, managing director of the Official UK Charts Company.

Last year's "X Factor" winner Alexandra Burke dropped to number two with her song "Bad Boys", featuring US rapper Flo Rida.

Cole and US soul star Whitney Houston performed on "The X Factor" last weekend, in the most-watched episode in the show's history with 14.8 million viewers.

Houston entered the singles chart in fifth place with comeback tune "Million Dollar Bill".

In the album charts, Burke was at number one with "Overcome" while Canadian singer Michael Buble -- who spent several days coaching "X Factor" contestants -- took second spot with "Crazy Love".

Houston took third place with "I Look To You".