No. 323

Chart star Prince Harry hits UK No 1

Gary Barlow's musical celebration of the Diamond Jubilee - featuring Prince Harry on tambourine - has made it to the top of the UK albums chart on its debut.

The Take That star's album Sing, which was recorded at Abbey Road studios and features a cameo appearance by the royal, scored a first place position in its first week in the charts.

The album, which sees Barlow backed by the Commonwealth Band, was presented to the Queen herself to commemorate the celebration of her 60 years on the throne.

Barlow recruited Prince Harry, a keen music fan, to play on the track - although the royal refused to sing. The track, also called Sing, was written by Barlow and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and features the chart-topping Military Wives.

Barlow will perform his Diamond Jubilee track, which made its debut in the singles chart at number 11, in front of the Queen on Monday.

The 41-year-old star has been organising the Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace, which will also see appearances from stars such as Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Kylie Minogue and Barlow's bandmate Robbie Williams.

Speaking about the success of the album ahead of the concert, Barlow said: "I couldn't have wished for anything more on this momentous weekend."

And Sing co-writer Andrew Lloyd Webber said of the album's chart success: "I'm absolutely thrilled, this is a burst of sunshine on a rainy Sunday, let's hope the sun shines on Gary's concert tomorrow."

Read more |  The Belfast Telegraph, 04.06.12

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