The record has achieved sales of more than 4.7 million copies since its release in 2011, giving it a huge lead ahead of the number two slot, Progress by British boyband Take That, which scored sales of more than 2.4 million.

Christmas by Michael Buble comes in third, followed by Scottish singer Emeli Sande with Our Version of Events and Ed Sheeran with his second album X. His debut disc + comes in at number six.

The release of Adele's highly-anticipated follow-up to 21 has been reportedly postponed several times.