Sam Fender and Olivia Dean Break UK Chart Record with 16-Week Run at Number One

Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have shattered a decades-old UK chart record as their duet "Rein Me In" completed its 16th consecutive week at number one, becoming the longest-running number one single by a British act in chart history. The achievement surpasses Wet Wet Wet's 1994 hit "Love Is All Around," which held the distinction for more than 30 years, and matches Bryan Adams' 1991 ballad "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" as the second longest-running number one of all time on the Official UK Singles Chart.

The Record-Breaking Journey

Released as a remix more than a year after its original appearance on Fender's album, "Rein Me In" took an unusual path to dominance. The track spent 35 weeks climbing the charts before reaching number one in February, setting a separate record for the longest climb to the summit. The collaboration premiered during one of Fender's London Stadium performances in early June, with footage from the concert spreading across social media and reigniting public interest in the track.

Fender, speaking to the Official Charts Company, described the achievement as "ridiculous" and credited Dean's contribution as transformative. He stated that Dean's "alternative narrative" rendered the song "really universal," characterizing it as a conversation with "two sides to the story." Dean, a Grammy-winning artist, brought her perspective to the relationship narrative, which Fender said "opened the floodgates" for broader audience connection. The collaboration also won the public-voted song of the year at the 2026 BRIT Awards.

Additional Milestones

Beyond the primary record, Fender and Dean have accumulated further distinctions. The pair achieved the longest consecutive run in the UK top 40 and the most weeks in the UK top 10 for any non-Christmas single. However, one record remains within reach: American artist Frankie Laine's "I Believe," which spent 18 weeks at number one in 1953, still holds the all-time record regardless of nationality.

Label executives attributed the sustained success to intentional strategy and artistic quality. Ben Mortimer, president of Polydor Label Group (Fender's label), emphasized that the team "gave it the space and support needed to grow," noting that "sustained success doesn't happen by accident." Jo Charrington, president of Capitol UK (Dean's label), called the duet "the duet of the decade" and highlighted the significance of Dean's artistry connecting with audiences on such a scale.