The Beatles named as UK’s biggest-selling singles act in Queen’s reign

The Beatles have been announced as the biggest selling singles act, in a poll to coincide with HM The Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations.

The BBC Radio 2 poll revealed the most popular artists since the singles chart began in 1952, the year the Queen acceded to the throne.

The top 10 artists:

1. The Beatles
2. Elvis Presley
3. Cliff Richard
4. Madonna
5. Michael Jackson
6. Elton John
7. Queen
8. Abba
9. David Bowie
10. Rihanna

The Beatles had 17 number ones in the United Kingdom between 1963 and 1970, the year their split was announced. Sir Paul McCartney was 11th in the BBC chart, while the group’s former chart rivals The Rolling Stones were at number 13.