While one charismatic, sweet-talking solo singer has marked a landmark for British music by recording the country’s 1000th number one, the man who make the mould for such a singer kicked the whole thing off with the UK’s very first.

Robbie Williams Swings Both WaysRobbie Williams Is No.1 On The Albums Chart

Robbie Williams’ big band album Swings Both Ways topped the charts, coincidentally becoming the UK’s 1000th number one album, but it was the king of charm, Frank Sinatra, who had the first number one, with Songs For Swingin' Lovers, in 1956. The connection between the first and the last make for a palpable sense of symmetry between the pair.

Not even Williams would compare himself to Sinatra, but given their respective popularity, they’ve certainly been generation-defining solo artists. And then there are the titles of the two albums...

Williams was predicted to reach number one with his latest comeback effort. The former Take That star, usually known for his catchy radio-friendly pop tunes or his sing-along power ballads, has ushered in the present-buying period with his ‘for mums and dads’ record.

It moved 109,000 copies in its first week, killing off competition from pop munchkin Jake Bugg and the extrovert Lady GaGa with her ARTPOP album. His nearest rival for the crown was Eminem with The Marshall Mathers LP 2, which he beat by 67,000 copies.

And with that, Robbie has now equalled another solo giant’s record of 11 No 1 albums: Elvis Presley, despite many critics describing his latest release as tacky and manufactured; designed for the Christmas period. He won’t really care, though, considering the people he’s being talked about in sentences with; and all the money he’s making. Won’t care one bit.

Robbie WilliamsRobbie Williams Swings Both Ways