Ed Sheeran breaks chart record for longest climb to Number 1 with 'Thinking Out Loud'

The song has already spent 19 weeks in the Top 40 before it slowly ambled its way up the charts to take the premiere position

Ed Sheeran has not only scored the UK Number 1 single this week, but also set a brand new chart record.

The singer is now the proud writer of the track that had the longest ever climb to the top spot.

“I’m not used to having Number 1 singles and this is my favourite song on the album, my favourite song I’ve written, so I’m really proud it’s getting this recognition,” Sheeran told OfficialCharts.com.

The song has already spent 19 weeks in the Top 40 before it slowly ambled its way up the charts to take the premiere position and become the second Number 1 for Sheeran in six months, following the success of “Sing”.

It is also the most streamed track on audio services, with over 14,000,000 plays to date and 1.6million in the last week alone.

The record for the longest climb to No.1 was previously held by Celine Dion. Her single “Think Twice” took a lengthy 13 weeks before it finally made it to the top spot.

“What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong spent 11 weeks ascending the Top 40 in 1968, while Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” took a steady 10 weeks to make it to Number 1 in 2009.

It marks the second Official Chart record for Sheeran this year. His sophomore album X is the fastest-selling record and longest-running Number 1 album of 2014.

Others appearing in the UK Singles Chart Top 5 include Meghan Trainor at Number 2 with “All About That Bass”, “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift at Number 3, Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj’s “Bang Bang” at Number 4 and Jeremih FT Yg at Number 5 with “Don’t Tell ‘Em”.

Meanwhile, over on the Official Album Charts, Swift has scored the highest selling album by a female artist this year with 1989.