Time is on Rod Stewart's side as his first album in20 years goes straight to number one in UK charts

Rod Stewart, rock’s great lothario (Getty Images)

Rod Stewart's first album of self-penned songs in 20 years has gone straight to the top of the UK album charts.

The album, called Time, is the veteran crooner's 7th album to reach the number one spot in this country.

The first time Stewart - known for the hits "Maggie May" and "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" - topped the album charts was in 1971 with Every Picture Tells A Story, but his last number one in the UK was in 1983 with the single "Baby Jane".

The 68-year-old, now perhaps as famous for his party lifestyle and glamorous wives as his music, knocked Dutch jazz singer Caro Emerald and her album The Shocking Miss Emerald from the top spot to fourth place.

Coming in at number two was another new entry by singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin, with her debut album English Rain.

The first single from Aplin's album, "The Power of Love", topped the singles charts last year and provided a soundtrack to the John Lewis Christmas advertisement.

Making up this weekend's top three was another new entry, Modern Vampires Of The City by the American group Vampire Weekend.

And Stewart was not the only 70s star to make a top 10 comeback this week. Abba singer Agnetha Faltskog came in at number six with her album A, her highest-charting solo record in the UK.

On the singles chart, French electronic duo Daft Punk held the top spot for a fourth straight week with "Get Lucky", featuring Pharrell Williams.

Rising from number three to two was Passenger's "Let Her Go". At three was a new entry, "Heart Attack" by the American singer Demi Lovato.

PA