Sir Tom Jones, 80, becomes oldest male chart topper as Surrounded By Time lands him first number one album in 20 years

Sir Tom Jones, 80, has scored his first number one album in 20 years with Surrounded By Time.

The singer is now the oldest male artist to claim the top spot on the UK album chart, and the oldest artist ever to make the achievement with an album of new songs.

He overtakes 79-year-old Bob Dylan, who topped the chart last year with Rough and Rowdy Ways.

Surrounded By Time is Sir Tom’s fourth number one album overall and his first since Reload in 1999. That album went on to claim two further weeks at number one in 2000.

The Welsh singer told Official Charts he was ‘thrilled’ with the news.

‘I am thrilled beyond words with the reception for Surrounded By Time, and to now hold these UK chart records is tremendous, just unbelievable,’ he said.

‘I am so proud of everyone who helped me create this music, I had a ball working with them and to get this result is just incredible. It’s wonderful that the public has allowed me to be musically expressive at my time of life and have shown their support. I am forever grateful.’

He saw off competition from London Grammar with Californian Soil, Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia, Justice by Justin Bieber and AJ Tracey’s Flu Game.

The icon scored his first number one album in 1968 with Delilah.

Surrounded By Time is Sir Tom’s 41st studio album.

Talking about the title of his new album, the Voice UK coach shared on Virgin Radio that he is getting used to taking a slower approach to music.

‘I’ve got more time now and that’s why we called the album Surrounded By Time because time is very important and now it feels like I’m not in a rush because when you’re young, you want to get things done.

‘You want to move on fast but as you get older, hopefully as long as the voice is still strong and flexible which it is, you’ve got to really think about it and it’s more important to me now than ever because it’s a bit of a wonder to me how kind God has been.

‘He’s still smiling at me – or she – whatever the case may be.’

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