New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The Greatest Showman soundtrack has swooped in to claim the Number 1 on this week's UK Albums Chart. The collection, featuring songs by the cast including Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron,
Zendaya and Michelle Williams, swings from 4 to Number 1 as the period drama musical continues to wow audiences across the UK.
The songs for the film were written by songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, whose previous works include
James and the Giant Peach, Dear Evan Hansen and TV series Smash.
The pair told Top40-Charts.com:
"We're honoured and thrilled that UK audiences are responding to The Greatest Showman. The universal themes of inclusion and acceptance are what inspired every song on the soundtrack, and we couldn't be more proud of everyone involved. Also...does this mean we'll get an invite to Harry and Meghan's wedding?! Fingers crossed! Truly, we are blown away and could not be more excited."
Three of the album's most popular tracks feature in the week's UK Singles Chart: The Golden Globe-winning This Is Me at 16, The Greatest Show at 23 and Rewrite The Stars, a duet by
Zac Efron and Zendaya, at 26.
The last soundtrack to reach Number 1 on the UK Albums Chart was La La Land in February 2017, which Benj and Justin also worked on, including its Oscar-winning song City Of Stars.
The album pushes Ed Sheeran's รท down to two, while Sam Smith's The Thrill Of It All completes the Top 3.
Elsewhere,
Little Mix's Glory Days climbs two places to Number 10, notching up a 28th week in the Top 10, and Dua Lipa's self-titled debut lifts four spots to Number 20.
Other big climbers this week include Post Malone's debut Stoney, up nine places to 24,
David Bowie's Legacy leaps eight to return to the Top 40 at 33 on the second anniversary of his death, and Phil Collins' Take A Look A Me Now - Complete vaults 24 places to Number 36.