Kneecap Leads Melanie C and Michael Jackson in UK Album Chart Race

The three albums are competing for the number one position, which will be confirmed on Friday at 17:45 BST. Kneecap's album Fenian was released earlier this month. The group, made up of three members, could secure its first UK number one album with this release.

Its previous album, released in 2024, reached number 43 in the UK. Melanie C, a former member of the Spice Girls, is seeking her first solo UK number one album with the release of Sweat. The album is her ninth studio album. Her previous best solo chart position was with her 1999 debut Northern Star.

Michael Jackson has achieved nine number one albums in the UK during his lifetime and one after his death in 2009. The Essential Michael Jackson spent seven weeks at number one following a re-entry linked to the release of a film about the singer starring his nephew.

The album has risen rapidly in the current chart. Less than 3,000 units separated Kneecap in first place from Michael Jackson in third place according to the midweek update. After the update was released, the group stated on social media that Fenian could be the first ever Irish language album to top the UK charts.

Verification of that statement has not been provided so far by the chart compilers.

No solo album by any of the former Spice Girls has reached number one in the UK. Michael Jackson's chart history includes multiple weeks at the top across different releases. The current contest reflects ongoing interest in both new releases and catalog albums driven by external factors such as films.

The Official Charts Company issued the midweek data earlier this week. The final official UK number one album will be announced on Friday afternoon.