Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have broken the 32-year-old record for the longest-running Number 1 single by a British act in UK chart history with their collaborative hit 'Rein Me In'. The ballad clocked its 16th non-consecutive week at the top spot on the Official UK Singles Chart on Friday, July 10, surpassing the previous record set by Scottish band Wet Wet Wet, whose 1994 hit 'Love Is All Around' had spent 15 weeks at Number 1.
Global Milestone and Chart Dominance
Globally, the milestone equals Canadian icon Bryan Adams, who achieved the same success with his 1991 classic '(Everything I Do) I Do It For You'. Sam, 32, and Olivia, 27, released 'Rein Me In' in June 2025. The song was originally written by Sam as a track for his third studio album 'People Watching' and was then reimagined as a pop-rock ballad. The pair also broke more records on Friday, achieving the longest consecutive run in the UK Top 40 and the most weeks in the UK Top 10 for any non-Christmas single.
Song's Impact and Artist Reactions
The track acts as a raw, two-way conversation exploring the painful breakdown of a relationship. Sam has said watching the song break chart records has 'been ridiculous' and 'an excuse to party'. Crediting Grammy winner Olivia, he said: 'Olivia putting the alternative narrative on it made the song really universal – that opened the floodgates. There's two sides to the story. And, it's a toe tapper! It's officially a banger!'
Potential to Break All-Time Record
The longest run at Number 1 was Frankie Laine's 1953 ballad 'I Believe', which was at the top for 18 weeks. If 'Rein Me In' stays at the top for two more weeks, it could also break Frankie's record. In February, Olivia became the most awarded artist of the night at the Brit Awards, also winning Song of the Year with Sam. She was also crowned Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammy Awards and broke into tears as she delivered her acceptance speech.
'I never really imagined that I would be up here, let alone nominated. So thank you so much. I just want to say that an artist is really nothing without their team. Emily, my best friend, my manager, we've been doing this for 10 years,' the 'Man I Need' hitmaker said. 'So this is for you, too, my family.' The singer received a loud round of applause after she said, 'I guess I want to say I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn't be here - I'm a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We're nothing without each other. Thank you so much.'
