UK Charts: Top 10 Albums of 2008

Duffy


Duffy has the Best Selling Album of 2008, according to the official chart listed below, her album 'Rockferry' went on to sell 1.685 million. The Welsh singer beat Take That who sold 1.446million copies in just four weeks since 'Circus' was released. Take That have the fastest million selling album ever in the UK.

Kings of Leon, Leona Lewis and Coldplay all went on to sell over a million copies of their albums as fans continued to snap up albums in the UK despite the credit crunch. Girls Aloud ended 2008 on a high as their new album 'Out of Control' gave them their first studio album #1.

Top 10 Albums of 2008:

1. Rockferry - Duffy**
2. The Circus - Take That**
3. Only By The Night - Kings of Leon**
4. Spirit - Leona Lewis**
5. Viva La Vida... - Coldplay
6. Good Girl Gone Bad - Rihanna **
7. Day & Age - Killers**
8. Out of Control - Girls Aloud**
9. Funhouse - Pink **
10. Scouting For Girls - Scouting For Girls

*Source: Official Charts Company
** Still in Top 40

UK Charts: Top 10 Singles of 2008

X Factor's Alexandra Burke has the best selling single of 2008, according to the official chart listed below. Her version of 'Hallelujah' sold a staggering 888,000 copies in just two weeks, but it will mean no single sold more than a million copies during 2008. The shift towards downloads and albums continues as CD sales dropped during the year.

Alexandra Burke was also #2 with the other X Factor finalists single 'Hero', selling 751,000 copies and clearly ahead of Welsh singer Duffy, who sold 536,000 copies of her single 'Mercy'. Madonna managed to gain an entry in the chart at #9 with '4 Minutes'.

Top 10 Selling Singles of 2008:

1. Hallelujah - Alexandra Burke**
2. Hero - X Factor finalists
3. Mercy - Duffy
4. I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry
5. Rockstar - Nickelback
6. American Boy - Estelle/ Kanye West
7. Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon**
8. Now You're Gone - Basshunter
9. 4 Minutes - Madonna/ Justin Timberlake
10. Black & Gold - Sam Sparro

*Source: Official Charts Company
** still in Top 40

Prince William - What's In Your Shorts?

Click the picture below and get a close up of Prince William's crown jewels!

Prince William and Prince Harry were playing a game of football together this Christmas at Castle Rising, near King's Lynn and Enigma pictures have captured a rather interesting shot of the Royals. The question is - what has Prince William got hiding in his shorts?

*sorry I couldn't resist showing that picture - you can tell it's quiet at this time of year for entertainment news!!

Top 100 UK MSN/Windows Live Searches of 2008

Girls Aloud feature high on Internet Search of 2008

The Top 100 Internet Searches of 2008, as used by MSN/Windows Live UK users are listed below. See how many from the list you have searched for. Cheryl Cole, Victoria Beckham and Girls Aloud feature high on my internet searches.........

1. Britney Spears
2. EastEnders
3. WWE
4. Liverpool FC
5. Arsenal
6. Jessica Alba
7. Cheryl Cole
8. Manchester United
9. High School Musical
10. Angelina Jolie
11. Victoria Beckham
12. Doctor Who
13. Paris Hilton
14. Big Brother
15. X Factor
16. Christina Aguilera
17. Strictly Come Dancing
18. David Beckham
19. Madonna
20. Megan Fox
21. Rihanna
22. Lindsay Lohan
23. Girls Aloud
24. Hollyoaks
25. Mariah Carey
26. Kerry Katona
27. Kylie Minogue
28. Amy Winehouse
29. Leeds United
30. Jennifer Aniston
31. Gemma Atkinson
32. Barack Obama
33. Miley Cyrus
34. Kelly Brook
35. Keira Knightley
36. Manuel Uribe
37. Lily Allen
38. Leona Lewis
39. Vanessa Hudgens
40. Emma Watson
41. I'm A Celebrity
42. Thomas Beatie
43. David Cameron
44. Heath Ledger
45. Zac Efron
46. Nicola McLean
47. Harry Potter
48. Dede Koswara
49. Cristiano Ronaldo
50. The Simpsons
51. Premier League
52. Newcastle United
53. Aston Villa
54. Jennifer Lopez
55. Manchester City
56. Scarlett Johansson
57. Hayden Panetierre
58. Coronation Street
59. Heather Mills
60. Lewis Hamilton
61. Dancing On Ice
62. V Festival
63. Chelsea FC
64. Daniel Radcliffe
65. Jade Goody
66. Eva Longoria
67. Top Gear
68. Karolina Kurkova
69. Everton FC
70. Beijing Olympics
71. Georgina Baillie
72. Dannii Minogue
73. Holly Willoughby
74. Dayana Mendoza
75. Sarah Palin
76. Andy Murray
77. Spice Girls
78. Ian Usher
79. Jennifer Ellison
80. Grand National
81. Morgan Freeman
82. Ryder Cup
83. London Marathon
84. Peng Shuilin
85. Hurricane Gustav
86. Shannon Matthews
87. Children In Need
88. Katy Perry
89. Tottenham Hotspur
90. Ricky Hatton
91. Carol Vorderman
92. Bernie Mac
93. Wimbledon
94. Billie Piper
95. Jennifer Hudson
96. He Pingping
97. Jessica Simpson
98. Glastonbury Festival
99. Quantum of Solace
100. Carla Bruni

Top 20 Christmas Day Viewing Figures

Here are the viewing figures for the Top 20 Christmas Day programmes:

1. Wallace & Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf And Death - BBC1, 8.30pm - 14.25m

2. Doctor Who: 'The Next Doctor' - BBC1, 6pm - 11.71m

3. EastEnders - BBC1, 9pm - 11.47m

4. The Royle Family - BBC1, 9.30pm - 9.98m

5. EastEnders - BBC1, 8pm - 9.89m

6. Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special - BBC1, 7pm - 8.57m

7. Coronation Street - ITV1, 7pm - 7.36m

8. Wallace & Gromit In The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit - BBC1, 4.30pm - 7.22m

9. The Queen - BBC1, 3pm - 6.45m

10. Blackadder Rides Again - BBC1, 10.30pm - 5.58m

11. Dancing On Ice At Christmas - ITV1, 8pm - 5.2m

12. Emmerdale - ITV1, 6pm - 4.76m

13. Shark Tale - BBC1, 3.10pm - 4.69m

14. It'll Be Alright On The Night - ITV1, 9.30pm - 3.8m

15. Top Of The Pops Christmas Special - BBC1, 2pm - 3.74m

16. Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban - ITV1, 3pm - 3.32m

17. Dad's Army - BBC2, 8pm - 2.7m

18. The Two Ronnies - BBC1, 1.05pm - 2.52m

19. The Santa Clause 2 - BBC1, 11.25am - 2.37m

20. Stanley Baxter: Now & Then - ITV1, 10.30pm - 2.16m

The Enemy: Kasbah Gig In Coventry

Here are a couple of pictures and videos of The Enemy as they performed at Coventry's Kasbah music venue to raise funds for Alexandra Emery:

The Enemy @ Kasbah, Coventry
Tom Clarke

Liam Watts


Andy Hopkins

The Enemy performed their final gig of 2008 back home in familiar territory in front of the Coventry faithful as they helped raised much needed funds for Alexandra Emery. Their was a festive feel about the gig and it seems everyone was up for a party as almost 1,000 turned up to show their support for this worthy cause.



Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts gave the crowds just what they wanted - the anthem tunes from their debut album and some new tracks thrown in as a little Christmas present!



I was feeling in a party mood as I had a houseful of Enemy fans from around the country stopping over for the gig. Instead of finding a safe spot to stand, I got into the thick of it and just enjoyed myself. The bodies of crowd surfers, the loss of my camera batteries, the moshing, the sweat - they all reminded me why I love gigs, why I love The Enemy and why I love Coventry.



Security did a stunning job of looking after the crowd surfers, and even in my drunken state I could see how professional they were. I could also tell from Andy and Tom's face (I couldn't see Liam without my glasses!) that they were happy to be back home, performing at the Kasbah (formally The Colosseum).



It was another great night out and an honour to be a very small part of something so worth while.





The Enemy - "This Song" - Kasbah, Coventry


The Enemy - "We'll Live And Die In These Towns" - Kasbah, Coventry

Set List:

Away From Here
40 Days And 40 Nights
Checkout Girls
Pressure
Technodanceaphobic
Had Enough
Aggro
We Live And Die In These Towns
It's Not OK
This Song
-------------
Elephant Song
Jane
Sing When You're In Love
You're Not Alone


http://www.theenemy.eu/ - for the latest news on The Enemy

Take That: The Circus Sells A Million Copies

Take That will end 2008 as the Kings of Pop after it was confirmed their new album 'The Circus' has sold 1 million copies since it was released almost two weeks ago. It has become the fastest selling album of the 21st century and the second fastest selling album of all time.

By the end of next week, Take That will have the second biggest selling UK album of the year, with Duffy's 'Rockferry' selling 1.5m to claim the number one spot.

Yet, all was not quite so good for the Queen of Pop, Madonna- her latest single 'Miles Away' is expected to limp into the UK charts at #39. It will be her worst performing single ever and will end her year on a low.

The Specials: Final Gig At RICOH Coventry

The Specials will play their final gig from their 30th Anniversary Tour in Coventry on Friday 15th May 2009 at the city's Ricoh Arena. The home coming gig marks the culmination of the SKA bands 14 date reunion tour.

The Coventry band first hit the headlines back in the late 70's as they helped create a new blend of music for recession hit youngsters across the UK. Hits like 'Ghost Town', 'Friday Night, Saturday Morning' and 'A Message To You Rudy' struck a cord with the generation of the day. The tour offers one last chance for fans to re-live those classic tunes and the lyrics have the opportunity to reach a whole new recession hit generation.

Last week tickets went on sale and sold out within minutes at most venues, prompting more dates to be added at Glasgow, Manchester and London. Tickets go on sale Wednesday 17th December at 9am for Coventry: Tickets are £32.50 from See Tickets (0871 2200 260) , Ticketweb (0844 477 1000), Ticketmaster (0844 844 0444) and The Ticket Factory (0844 338 8000) or book online at http://www.gigsandtours.com/, http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/, http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/ or http://www.theticketfactory.com/

http://www.theenemy.eu/ - for the latest news on The Enemy

Alexandra Burke's X Factor Hallelujah - Fastest In Europe

Alexandra Burke looks set for the Christmas number 1 on Sunday with her debut single Hallelujah, after winning X Factor on Saturday. The single has already broken records across Europe, becoming the fastest selling download with a staggering 105,000 copies sold. It went on sale at midnight, just two hours after Alexandra won the X Factor.

The Leonard Cohen hit was an instant hit with the public who were won over by Alexandra Burke's emotional performance with Beyoncé during Saturday night's record breaking final, with 14 million tuning in.

The single is released on CD this Wednesday , yet is virtually guaranteed the number 1 Christmas position after selling 23,000 more downloads than Leona Lewis two years prior with A Moment Like This.

The Specials Tour Interview

The Specials


The Specials are back and here is an interview with Lynval Golding, Horace Panter and Roddy Byers from the Coventry Telegraph by2-Tone fan Pete Chambers. Tickets for The Specials UK Tour are on sale now and here is the interview talking about the upcoming reunion tour.

How does it feel to be a Special again?

LYNVAL: "It's been a really slow process, but we were intent on celebrating something we created 30 years ago. So we are finally here, and to get up there on stage again to play to the fans is going to be a real celebration. I have to stop and pinch myself, it's simply a lovely dream that I don't want to wake up from".

RODDY: "I hope it's less painful this time!"

Horace: "I think physically it will be more painful – I'm not 25 any more! Seriously, I think it's going to be a lot easier".

The Specials @ Bestival Festival in September

At Bestival (a festival the six of them played in the Isle of Wight in September) we basically got the first album, I presume the set-list this time will include the second album and Ghost Town?

HORACE: "For our dance hall shows in April/May we will be playing for 90 minutes, twice as long as we did on the Isle of Wight, so there's room for second album stuff and beyond".

When next year's tour was announced it all went mad, even I was surprised of the emotion people still had for The Specials, how was it for you?

HORACE: "It hasn't really sunk in yet".

Do you think we will see the stage invasions of 1979/80. Indeed has The Specials ethos changed in 30 years?

HORACE : "Thirty years ago I was always concerned that someone would get badly hurt during the stage invasions but the health and safety aspect of rock'n'roll shows has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. Whether our attitude has, remains to be seen".

Will you, as The Telegraph reported last week, be playing in Coventry?

STEVE BLACKWELL (Specials manager) : The answer to that is a great big YES. There is no big secret about it, the reason there is no news on the date as yet, is that it must be planned properly.

"The band are still working on plans for Coventry and no decision as to where or when have yet been made". I can assure everyone that the band want this to be a very Special gig for the people of Coventry!

Tour News and Views:

* The last time The Specials played in Coventry was at the Butts Stadium on Saturday June 20 1981, for the Rock Against Racism concert.

* A large percentage of latter-day Specials fans, are far too young to have ever seen them play. This is something the band are happy to rectify.

* The 'Where's the Coventry date' scenario, is nothing new. The Specials' first tour back in 1979 didn't include a Coventry date when originally announced either. That was also rectified before the tour was out.

* The tickets for the tour on sale priced at £32.50 in advance, except London £35. 24-hour Hotline: 0871 2200 260 / Online: www.gigsandtours.com

http://www.theenemy.eu/ - for the latest news on The Enemy

POLL - Who Has More Style - Victoria Beckham or Cheryl Cole?

This weeks POLL asks: 'Who Has More Style - Victoria Beckham or Cheryl Cole?' So get voting for the one YOU think looks the best in whatever outfit she wears. Who will be crowned Queen of Fashion next week VOTE now!

Both are famous for their singing and for their looks, and even have a famous footballing husband beside them. Yet both Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Cole command so much magazine space every time they hit the street in a new stunning outfit. Has Posh gone off the rails? Is Cheryl the new fashion icon?

*You decided in this weeks POLL - Cheryl Cole was the winner!

*pics:VB - REX Features / CC - Matrixphotos.com

Pictures: Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis has hit the top of the UK charts again this week with 'Run', so to celebrate here are some new pictures of the multi-million selling artist:

CLICK IMAGE TO SEE BIGGER IMAGE

CLICK IMAGE TO SEE BIGGER PICTURE

Grammy Awards Nominations: The List

Adele, MIA and Leona Lewis lead the Brit pack in Grammy Nominations

*PIC: PA/BBC

Coldplay have seven Grammy Award nominations as the Brits look set for a good year at the 2009 Award show, especially in the Record of The Year category. The nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards were announced in Los Angeles and here is a selection of nominees in key categories:

Record of the Year:
Adele - Chasing Pavements
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
M.I.A. - Paper Planes
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Please Read The Letter


Album of the Year:
Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III
Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
Radiohead - In Rainbows

Song of the Year: (awarded to songwriters)
Estelle - American Boy
Adele - Chasing Pavements
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Sara Bareilles - Love Song
Coldplay - Viva La Vida

Best New Artist:
Adele
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance:
Adele - Chasing Pavements
Sara Bareilles - Love Song
Duffy - Mercy
Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
Pink - So What

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance:
Kid Rock - All Summer Long
John Mayer - Say
Paul McCartney - That Was Me
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Ne-Yo - Closer
James Taylor - Wichita Lineman

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals:
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Eagles - Waiting In The Weeds
Gnarls Barkley - Going On
Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You
OneRepublic - Apologize

Best Dance Recording:
Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger
Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
Lady Gaga and Colby O'Donis - Just Dance
Madonna - Give It 2 Me
Rihanna - Disturbia
Sam Sparro - Black & Gold

Best Electronic/Dance Album:
Brazilian Girls - New York City
Daft Punk - Alive 2007
Cyndi Lauper - Bring Ya To The Brink
Kylie Minogue - X
Moby - Last Night
Robyn - Robyn

Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance:
John Mayer - Gravity
Paul McCartney - I Saw Her Standing There
Bruce Springsteen - Girls In Their Summer Clothes
Eddie Vedder - Rise
Neil Young - Hidden Path

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals:
AC/DC - Rock N Roll Train
Coldplay - Violet Hill
Eagles - Long Road Out of Eden
Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
Radiohead - House of Cards

Best Rock Song: (awarded to songwriters)
Bruce Springsteen - Girls In Their Summer Clothes
Radiohead - House of Cards
Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
Coldplay - Violet Hill

Best Rock Album:
Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Kid Rock - Rock N Roll Jesus
Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night
Metallica - Death Magnetic
The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

Best Alternative Music Album:
Beck - Modern Guilt
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Radiohead - In Rainbows

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance:
Beyonce - Me, Myself and I
Keyisha Cole - Heaven Sent
Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight
Alicia Keys - Superwoman
Jazmine Sullivan - Need U Bad

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance:
Eric Benet - You're The Only One
Chris Brown - Take You Down
Ne-Yo - Miss Independent
Trey Songz - Can't Help But Wait
Usher - Here I Stand

Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals:
Boyz II Men - Ribbon In The Sky
Anthony David ft India Arie - Words
Al Green ft John Legend - Stay With Me (By The Sea)
Jennifer Hudson ft Fantasia - I'm His Only Woman
Raphael Saadiq ft Stevie Wonder and CJ Hilton - Never Give You Up

Best R&B Song: (awarded to songwriters)
Jazimine Sullivan - Bust Your Windows
Raheem DeVaughn - Customer
Keyisha Cole - Heaven Sent
Ne-Yo - Miss Independent
Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight


Best R&B Album:
Eric Benet - Love & Life
Boyz II Men - Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA
Al Green - Lay It Down
Jennifer Hudson - Jennifer Hudson
Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It

Best Rap Solo Performance:
Jay-Z - Rock Boys (And The Winner Is)
Lil' Wayne - A Milli
Lupe Fiasco - Paris, Tokyo
Nas - N.i.*.*.e.r. (The Slave And The Master)
Snoop Dogg - Sexual Eruption

Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group:
Big Boi/Raekwon/Andre 3000 - Royal Flush
Jay-Z and TI ft Kanye West and Lil Wayne - Swagga Like Us
Ludacris ft TI - Wish You Would
Young Jeezy ft Kanye West

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
Estelle ft Kanye West - American Boy
Flo Rida ft T-Pain - Low
John Legend and Andre 3000 - Green Light
Lil' Wayne ft T-Pain - Got Money
Lupe Fiasco ft Matthew Santos - Superstar

Best Rap Album:
Jay-Z - American Gangster
Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter III
Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
Nas - Nas
TI - Paper Trial

The Specials Announce Tour Dates For 2009

The Specials @ Mojo Awards

Coventry band, The Specials have announced a tour for 2009, as we predicted here, with dates announced for April and May. The popular SKA band performed at this year's Bestival Festival in the Isle of Wight in early September and fans have been checking this website daily for the news as to when The Specials would be going on tour.

The tickets go on sale on Thursday 11th December, but details about a home coming Coventry date have yet to be announced. The original line up of Terry Hall, Lynval Golding, Neville Staple, Roddy Byers, Horace Panter and John Bradbury will be performing on the UK tour, it was revealed today.

Terry Hall said in a previous interview that he was in favour of theatre-sized venues. Speaking about the tour, Terry Hall said: "That's the kind of venue where we started. I don't like arena dates, at all. They're just soulless." We will update you with more news about any more dates.

The tour will visit:

Newcastle Academy - 22 April

Sheffield Academy - 23 April

Birmingham Academy - 25 & 26 April

Glasgow Academy - 28 April

Manchester Apollo - 3 May

London Brixton Academy - 6 & 7 May

Ticket Telephone Numbers:

22 April NEWCASTLE, Academy 0844 477 2000 *
23 April SHEFFIELD, Academy 0844 477 2000 *
25 April BIRMINGHAM, Academy 0844 477 2000 **
26 April BIRMINGHAM, Academy 0844 477 2000
28 April GLASGOW, Academy 08444 999 990
3 May MANCHESTER, Apollo 08444 777 677
6 May LONDON, Brixton Academy 0844 477 2000
7 May LONDON, Brixton Academy 0844 477 2000


Tickets go on sale 9am Thursday 11th December priced £32.50 in advance except London £35.
24 hr CC Hotline: 0871 2200 260 / online: www.gigsandtours.com
Doors 7pm except * tbc and ** 6pm.

*http://www.theenemy.eu/ - for the latest news on The Enemy

John Barrowman Gets Penis Out On Radio!

John Barrowman has plunged the BBC into another likely controversy by getting his penis out during a Radio 1 interview on 'The Switch'. The Dr Who and Torchwood actor was being interviewed by Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw and was being filmed for an online feature.

The BBC said John Barrowman had exposed himself during the programme but it was not visible to online viewers. A spokeswoman said, "The YouTube video was taken down because it had overstepped the mark."

Leading up to Barrowman's exposure, the conversation was - Grimshaw: "You're famous, we're told, for getting your willy out in interviews. Is this going to happen today? Should Annie be careful?"
Barrowman asked: "Is the webcam on?"
When he was told it was, he responded: "Alright. I'll get it out for you then, no problem."

The exposure was at 20:15 and pre-watershed, which looks like inflaming another BBC row. Both the BBC and Barrowman have apologised for the incident.