Ed Sheeran crowned UK’s most-played artist of 2021 – and also wins accolade for most-played single

Ed Sheeran was the most-played artist of 2021 in the UK, and also claimed the year’s most played single with Bad Habits.

It is the second time he has claimed both accolades, previously achieving the double in 2017 with the release of his album Divide and hit single Shape Of You.

Adele is the only other artist to have topped both charts in the same year, with Rolling In The Deep and the popularity of her album 21 in 2011.

It is the fourth time in five years that the 31-year-old pop superstar has been the UK’s most-played artist, having been temporarily dethroned in 2020 by Dua Lipa.

The annual charts are compiled by music licensing company Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) from music usage and airplay data from radio stations and television channels as well as public performance locations.

Tom Grennan crowned a breakout year by claiming both the second and third most-played tracks of 2021, with By Your Side with Calvin Harris and Little Bit Of Love respectively.

The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights was the fourth most-played track, demonstrating staying power having originally been released in November 2019.

The fifth most-played track of 2021 was Higher Power by Coldplay.

The second most-played artist of the year was David Guetta, with Dua Lipa in third.

Little Mix, who recently went on hiatus, claimed fourth place after consistently appearing in the top 10 for the past five years.

Coldplay were the fifth most-played act.

Peter Leathem, chief executive of PPL, said: “Congratulations to Ed Sheeran for having the UK’s most-played track of 2021 and being the UK’s most-played artist of 2021.

“His chart-topping success over the last five years is a testament to not only the quality of his output but also the strength of UK music at a time when the global music landscape is more competitive than ever.”