Longest wait for a UK No.1 single from chart debut

On 26 March 2005, Tony Christie (UK, b. Anthony Fitzgerald) topped the Official Singles Chart for the first time in his career with “(Is This the Way to) Amarillo” – 34 years 76 days after making his UK chart debut with “Las Vegas” on 9 January 1971. “Amarillo”, the best-selling single of 2005, was re-issued as a charity effort featuring comedian Peter Kay (music video only) following its use in Kay’s award-winning TV sitcom Phoenix Nights. The track was originally released in 1971 and peaked at No.18.

“Amarillo” spent seven consecutive weeks at the top and was the first No.1 single on the UK’s first combined physical sales and downloads chart on 23 April 2005. It went on to become a UK million-seller.

Thanks to “Amarillo”, Christie (b. 25 April 1943) also holds the male UK chart records for the slowest climb to No.1 (33 years 126 days, from 20 November 1971 to 26 March 2005) and the oldest artist to simultaneously reach No.1 on the singles and albums charts (61 years 349 days on 9 April 2005, when his Definitive Collection album spent its second and final week at No.1 on the Official Albums Chart).

Ozzy Osbourne (29 August 1970 to 20 December 2003), Michael Ball (21 January 1989 to 30 April 2020), Eric Clapton (24 March 1965 to 25 March 1995) and MK (DJ/producer Marc Kinchen; 4 February 1995 to 17 July 2025) all had to wait 30 years or more from for their first UK No.1.