Cast of Les Miserables knock Emeli Sande off the top of the album charts

Actresses Amanda Seyfriend, Anne Hathaway and Samantha Barks attend the 'Les Miserables' World Premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square on December 5, 2012 in London, England. (Getty Images)

The cast of Les Miserables has become the first film cast to top the official albums chart in almost 16 years.

Blazing a trail through the film world, Tom Hooper's film adaptation of the stage musical sees its stars at number one - the first film cast recording to top the albums chart since Evita in 1997.

The musical's cast knocks Emeli Sande's Our Version Of Events down to number two.

Meanwhile, over on the singles chart, pop princess Britney Spears and her duet partner Will.i.Am remain in the number one position with Scream & Shout - keeping music heavyweights 50 Cent and Justin Timberlake at bay.

Wednesday's chart update reported US rapper 50 Cent's new release, My Life, featuring Eminem and Maroon 5's Adam Levine as heading for the top spot, which would have been Fiddy's first chart topper this side of the pond.

Justin Timberlake returned to the charts for the first time in nearly three years today as the former 'N Sync star unleashed new track "Suit & Tie" featuring Jay-Z.

However, Britney and Will.i.Am remained on top to make it two weeks running for "Scream & Shout."

This week's highest climbers are Lawson, up 80 places with "Learn To Love Again", while actress Anne Hathaway scores her first UK Top 40 hit with "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables, up 58 places to Number 22.

PA