UK Female Artistes at No. 1
by glyntreharne-1 | created - 29 Dec 2013 | updated - 19 Oct 2017 | PublicBritish females who have hit the top spot in the UK singles pop charts
1. Adele
Soundtrack | Skyfall
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born May 5, 1988) is a British singer-songwriter who has sold millions of albums worldwide and won a total of 15 Grammys as well as an Oscar. Adele's first two albums, 19 and 21, earned her critical praise and a level of commercial success unsurpassed among her peers. ...
"Someone Like You" (2011) "Hello" (2015)
2. Lily Allen
Actress | Elizabeth
Lily Rose Beatrice Allen is an English singer-songwriter and actress. She is the daughter of actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. Her music career began in 2005 when she made some of her vocal recordings public on Myspace and the publicity resulted in airplay on BBC Radio 1 and a ...
"Smile" (2006) "The Fear" (2008) "Somewhere Only We Know" (2013)
3. All Saints
Soundtrack | The Beach
All Saints is known for The Beach (2000), The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) and All Saints: The Video (1998).
"Never Ever" (1997) "Under the Bridge" / "Lady Marmalade" (1998) "Bootie Call" (1998) "Pure Shores" (2000) "Black Coffee" (2000)
4. Tasmin Archer
Composer | Tasmin Archer: Sleeping Satellite
Tasmin Archer was born on August 3, 1963 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK. She is a composer and actress, known for Tasmin Archer: Sleeping Satellite (1992), Love Like Hers (2012) and Tasmin Archer: Lords of the New Church (1993).
"Sleeping Satellite" (1992)
5. Atomic Kitten
Soundtrack | Bring It On
Atomic Kitten is known for Bring It On (2000), National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002) and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004).
"Whole Again" (2001) "Eternal Flame" (2001) "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)" (2002)
6. Winifred Atwell
Soundtrack | Sunstruck
Winifred Atwell was born on February 27, 1910 in Tunapuna, Trinidad. She is known for Sunstruck (1972), Pot Black (1969) and The Hagenbeck Story (1971). She was married to Lew Levisohn. She died on February 27, 1983 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
"Let's Have Another Party" (1954) "The Poor People Of Paris" (1956)
7. Sam Bailey
Actress | Sam Bailey: Skyscraper
Sam Bailey was born on June 29, 1977 in Bexley, London, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Sam Bailey: Skyscraper (2013), Wrongfully Convicted (2021) and The X Factor UK (2004). She has been married to Craig Pearson since January 29, 2003. They have three children.
"Skyscraper" (2013)
8. Shirley Bassey
Soundtrack | Moonraker
Shirley Bassey was born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales, and raised in the nearby working class neighborhood of Splott. Her mother was originally from Yorkshire, and her father was a Nigerian seaman who left the family when she was less than two. She later helped to support her family by working in an...
"As I Love You" (1959) "Reach for the Stars" c/w "Climb Ev'ry Mountain (1961)
9. Natasha Bedingfield
Soundtrack | Morning Glory
Natasha Bedingfield was born on November 26, 1981 in Haywards Heath, Sussex, England, UK. She is an actress and composer, known for Morning Glory (2010), From Russia with Love (2005) and What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012). She has been married to Matt Robinson since March 21, 2009. They ...
"These Words" (2004)
10. Amelle
Soundtrack | Plastic
Amelle was born on April 22, 1984 in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Plastic (2014), Sugababes vs. Girls Aloud: Walk This Way (2007) and Sugababes: Follow Me Home (2006). She was previously married to Marcio Sousa Rosa .
"About You Now" (with Sugababes 2007) "Never Leave You" (with Tinchy Stryder) (2009)
11. Jane Birkin
Actress | Evil Under the Sun
Jane Birkin was born on December 14, 1946 in London, England, UK. She was an actress and director, known for Evil Under the Sun (1982), Blow-Up (1966) and Death on the Nile (1978). She was married to John Barry. She died on July 16, 2023 in Paris, France.
"Je t'aime... moi non plus" (with and Serge Gainsbourg 1969)
12. Cilla Black
Soundtrack | Last Night in Soho
Cilla Black was born on May 27, 1943 in Liverpool, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Last Night in Soho (2021), Hellboy (2019) and Cilla (1968). She was married to Bobby Willis. She died on August 1, 2015 in Estepona, Spain.
"Anyone Who Had a Heart" (1964) "You're My World" (1964)
13. Mel B
Actress | Spice World
Born on May 29, 1975 in Leeds, England, Melanie Brown became a member of Spice Girls in 1994. Their three albums sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and they had nine singles at number 1 in the UK.
"Hot" was her first solo album, released on 9th October 2000. It entered the UK charts at #28. ...
"Wannabe" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Say You'll Be There" (with Spice Girls 1996) "2 Become 1" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Spice Up Your Life" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Too Much" (with Spice Girls 1997)"I Want You Back" (featuring Missy Elliott 1998) "Viva Forever" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Goodbye" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Holler" / "Let Love Lead the Way" (with Spice Girls 2000)
14. Emma Bunton
Actress | Spice World
Emma Lee Bunton was born on the 21st January 1976 in Finchley, North London to parents Pauline, a karate instructor, and Trevor, a milkman. They split up when Emma was 11, and she stayed with her mum. She also has a younger brother, P.J. (Paul) who she is very close to. Emma's career began at an ...
"Wannabe" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Say You'll Be There" (with Spice Girls 1996) "2 Become 1" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Spice Up Your Life" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Too Much" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Viva Forever" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Goodbye" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Holler" / "Let Love Lead the Way" (with Spice Girls 2000) "What Took You So Long?" (2001)
15. Alexandra Burke
Actress | Pretty Red Dress
Alexandra Burke is truly one of the UK's most distinguishable powerhouse voices, having sold over 5 million records in the UK and with over 200 million streams. The 34-year-old versatile London-born singer has also become one of the UK's most sought-after West End leading ladies. Her most recent ...
"Hero" (with The X Factor Finalists 2008) "Hallelujah" (2008) "Bad Boys" (featuring Flo Rida 2009) "Start Without You" (featuring Laza Morgan 2010) "Everybody Hurts" (with Helping Haiti 2010)
"Japanese Boy" (as Aneka 1981)
17. Kate Bush
Soundtrack | The Line, the Cross & the Curve
Kate Bush began playing piano at a young age and, by her mid-teens, had composed over 200 songs. Her talent caught the notice of David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd) who assisted in arranging her contract with EMI. The first song she released, "Wuthering Heights", soared to #1 in England in 1978. Since ...
"Wuthering Heights" (1978)
18. Melanie C
Actress | Spice World
Born on the 12th January 1974 in Merseyside, England, Melanie Chisholm became a member of Spice Girls in 1994. Their three albums sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and they had nine singles at number 1 in the UK.
"Northern Star" was her first solo album. On the back of the first single "...
"Wannabe" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Say You'll Be There" (with Spice Girls 1996) "2 Become 1" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Spice Up Your Life" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Too Much" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Viva Forever" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Goodbye" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Holler" / "Let Love Lead the Way" (with Spice Girls 2000)"Never Be the Same Again" (featuring Lisa Lopes 2000) "I Turn to You" (2000)
19. Cheryl
Actress | What to Expect When You're Expecting
Born in 1983, British singer Cheryl Cole studied dance, modeled and appeared in advertisements as a child. Her crowd-pleasing performances on Popstars: The Rivals (2002) won her membership to the pop group Girls Aloud and vaulted her into music stardom, virtually overnight. Cole has also enjoyed ...
"Sound of the Underground" (with Girls Aloud 2002) "I'll Stand by You" (with Girls Aloud 2004) "Walk This Way" (with Girls Aloud and Sugababes - the official Comic Relief charity single 2007) "The Promise" (with Girls Aloud 2008) "Fight for This Love" (2009) "Promise This" (2009) "Everybody Hurts" (as part of Helping Haiti 2010) "Call My Name" (2012) "Crazy Stupid Love" (featuring Tinie Tempah) (2014) "I Don't Care" (2014)
20. Petula Clark
Soundtrack | Goodbye, Mr. Chips
Petula Clark was a star at the age of 11. She starred in British concert halls and on BBC radio singing for the troops during WWII. She was a child star in a series of British films from the end of WWII through to the early 1950s,and by 1954 was having hit records. After a move to France in 1960, ...
"Sailor" (1960) "This Is My Song" (1966)
21. Alma Cogan
Soundtrack | Tank 432
Alma Cogan was born on May 19, 1932 in Whitechapel, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Tank 432 (2015), The End of the F***ing World (2017) and En aftenstund med - (1965). She died on October 26, 1966 in London, England, UK.
"Dreamboat" (1955)
22. Julie Covington
Actress | Rock Follies
Julie is a stage and screen actress and singer. She is most famous for reaching the top of the U.K. singles chart in 1976 with her definitive version of "Don't Cry for me Argentina" from the musical, "Evita". One year later, she was back in the U.K. charts again with an excellent version of the ...
"Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" (1976)
23. Kiki Dee
Soundtrack | Summer of Sam
Kiki Dee was born on March 6, 1947 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Summer of Sam (1999), The Lion King (1994) and A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006).
"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (with Elton John 1976)
24. Barbara Dickson
Actress | Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Barbara Dickson was born on September 27, 1947 in Dunfermline, Scotland, the daughter of a policeman turned Rosyth dockyard worker. Barbara's mother was a housewife, and the family's strong interest in music led to Barbara taking up the piano from the tender age of five. By the age of twelve ...
"I Know Him So Well" (with Elaine Paige 1985)
25. Duffy
Soundtrack | Pirate Radio
Duffy was born on June 23, 1984 in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales, UK. She is an actress and composer, known for The Boat That Rocked (2009), Legend (2015) and Filth (2013).
"Mercy" (2008)
26. Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Soundtrack | Osmosis Jones
Sophie Ellis-Bextor was born on April 10, 1979 in London, England, UK. She is a music artist and actress, known for Osmosis Jones (2001), Life's Too Short (2011) and Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Murder on the Dance Floor (2001). She has been married to Richard Jones since June 25, 2005. They have five ...
"Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" (with Spiller 2000)
27. Estelle
Actress | Steven Universe
Estelle was born on January 18, 1980 in Hammersmith, London, England, UK. She is a music artist and actress, known for Steven Universe (2013), Obsessed (2009) and Ride Along (2014).
"American Boy"(with Kanye West 2008)
28. Eurythmics
Soundtrack | Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
Eurythmics is known for Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and 1984 (1984).
"There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)"(1985)
29. Sian Evans
Soundtrack | Berlin, Berlin
Sian Evans is known for Berlin, Berlin (2002), Kosheen: (Slip & Slide) Suicide (2001) and Kosheen: Hide U (2001).
"Louder" (with DJ Fresh 2011)
30. Paloma Faith
Soundtrack | Youth
Paloma Faith was born Paloma Faith Blomfield on July 21, 1981 in Hackney, London, England to Pamela "Pam" Oakes-Ash & Jose Ramon Blomfield.
Faith is known for her retro and eccentric style. The singer met her managers Jamie Binns and Christian Wåhlberg in 2007. Her debut album, Do You Want the Truth...
"Changing" Sigma (DJs) featuring Paloma Faith
31. Florence and the Machine
Soundtrack | Snow White and the Huntsman
Florence and the Machine (styled as Florence + The Machine) are an English indie rock band that formed in London in 2007, consisting of lead singer Florence Welch, keyboardist Isabella Summers, and a collaboration of other artists. The band's music received praise across the media, especially from ...
"Spectrum (Say My Name)" (2012)
33. Gabrielle
Soundtrack | Bridget Jones's Diary
In the Guinness Book of Records for the highest UK chart entry for a female debut act, Gabrielle took the charts by storm with 'Dreams'. Her debut album "Find Your Way" sold over a million copies worldwide, and has been followed by the albums "Gabrielle" and "Rise", the latter appropriately titled ...
"Dreams" (1993) "Rise" (2000)
34. Barbara Gaskin
Actress | Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin: It's my Party
Barbara Gaskin is known for Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin: It's my Party (1982), Lost Belongings (1987) and Top of the Pops (1964).
"It's My Party" (1981) with Dave Stewart
35. Girls Aloud
Soundtrack | Run Fatboy Run
Girls Aloud is known for Run Fatboy Run (2007), It's a Boy Girl Thing (2006) and Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007).
"Sound of the Underground" (2002) "I'll Stand by You" (2004) "Walk This Way" (with Sugababes - the official Comic Relief charity single 2007) "The Promise" (2008)
36. Jess Glynne
Soundtrack | Bridget Jones's Baby
Jess Glynne was born on October 20, 1989 in Hampstead, London, England, UK. She is a music artist and actress, known for Bridget Jones's Baby (2016), Sense8 (2015) and Jess Glynne: Home (2014).
"Rather Be" (2014) featured artist "My Love" (2014) featured artist "Hold My Hand" (2015) "Not Letting Go" (2015) "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" (2015)
37. Ellie Goulding
Soundtrack | Fifty Shades of Grey
Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who conquered the UK music field at the age of 23 and went on to win over fans all over the world within a year. A determined child, at the age of eight, she told her mother that she would become famous one day. She ...
"Burn" (2013) "Love Me Like You Do" (2015) from the soundtrack of Fifty Shades of Grey
38. Ella Henderson
Soundtrack | David Guetta & Becky Hill & Ella Henderson: Crazy What Love Can Do (Acoustic Version)
Ella Henderson was born on January 12, 1996 in Lincolnshire, England, UK. She is a music artist and actress, known for David Guetta & Becky Hill & Ella Henderson: Crazy What Love Can Do (Acoustic Version) (2022), Free Rein (2017) and Michael McIntyre's Easter Night at the Coliseum (2015).
"Ghost" (2014)
39. Becky Hill
Composer | Rudimental Feat. Becky Hill: Powerless
Becky Hill was born on February 14, 1994 in Bewdley, Worcestershire, England, UK. She is a music artist and composer, known for Rudimental Feat. Becky Hill: Powerless (2014), David Guetta & Becky Hill & Ella Henderson: Crazy What Love Can Do (Acoustic Version) (2022) and David Guetta & ...
"Gecko (Overdrive)" (2014) Oliver Heldens featuring Becky Hill
40. Geri Horner
Actress | Spice World
Geraldine Estelle Horner (née Halliwell; born 6 August 1972) is an English singer, songwriter, author and actress. She rose to prominence in the 1990s as Ginger Spice, a member of the girl group the Spice Girls. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, the Spice Girls are the best-selling ...
"Wannabe" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Say You'll Be There" (with Spice Girls 1996) "2 Become 1" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Spice Up Your Life" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Too Much" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Viva Forever" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Mi Chico Latino" (1999) "Lift Me Up" (1999) "Bag It Up" (2000) "It's Raining Men" (2001)
41. Leona Lewis
Soundtrack | Avatar
Leona Lewis was born on April 3, 1985 in Islington, London, England, UK. She is a music artist and actress, known for Avatar (2009), No Strings Attached (2011) and Sex and the City 2 (2010). She has been married to Dennis Jauch since July 27, 2019. They have one child.
"A Moment Like This" (2006) "Bleeding Love" (2007) "Run" (2008) "Everybody Hurts" (as part of Helping Haiti 2010)
42. Little Mix
Actress | Little Mix feat. Nicki Minaj: Woman Like Me
Little Mix are a British girl group formed in 2011 during the eighth series of the UK version of The X Factor. They were the first group to win the competition, and following their victory, they signed with Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music. The members are Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, ...
"Cannonball" (2011) "Wings" (2012)
43. Lulu
Soundtrack | To Sir, with Love
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns was born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie in Glasgow, Scotland on November 3, 1948. As a teenager, she toured the northern clubs with her band, the Luvvers. After her initial success with a cover of "Shout" reaching #7 in 1964, Lulu went on to establish herself as one of the ...
"Relight My Fire" (with Take That 1993)
44. Vera Lynn
Soundtrack | Hellboy
Vera Lynn was born on March 20, 1917 in East Ham, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Hellboy (2004), Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982) and Lolita (1997). She was married to Harry Lewis. She died on June 18, 2020 in Ditchling, East Sussex, England, UK.
"My Son, My Son" (1954)
45. Ruby Murray
Soundtrack | Saint Maud
Ruby Murray was born on March 29, 1935 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. She was an actress, known for Saint Maud (2019), Belfast (2021) and A Touch of the Sun (1956). She was married to Ray Lamar and Bernie Burgess. She died on December 17, 1996 in Torquay, Devon, England, UK.
"Softly, Softly" (1955)
46. Elaine Paige
Soundtrack | The Boys from Brazil
Elaine Paige, as an actress, recording artist, producer, and broadcaster, has made a major contribution to the modern musical that ensures her own chapter in the entertainment world and justifies the title "The First Lady of Musical Theatre".
She has starred in numerous West End productions and on ...
"I Know Him So Well" (with Barbara Dickson 1985)
47. Wendy Richard
Actress | Are You Being Served?
Wendy Richard, was born in Middlesborough to Henry and Beatrice Emmerton who moved to London when she was 5. and there they ran The Shepherds Tavern in Mayfair. Her father commited suicide due to depression when she was 11. She was educated at St Georges School in Mount Street, Mayfair, London and ...
"Come Outside" (1962) Mike Sarne featuring Wendy Richard
48. Sandie Shaw
Soundtrack | Last Night in Soho
Sandie Shaw was born on February 26, 1947 in Dagenham, Essex, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Last Night in Soho (2021), Because I Said So (2007) and The Boat That Rocked (2009). She is married to Tony Bedford. She was previously married to Nik Powell and Jeff Banks.
"(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" (1964) "Long Live Love" (1965) "Puppet on a String" (1967)
49. Spice Girls
Soundtrack | Spice World
Spice Girls is the biggest female girlgroup of all time. Their albums "Spice" (1996), "Spice World" (1997) and "Forever" (2000) was sold at 86 millions worldwide and all singles including "Wannabe", "Say You'll Be There", "2 Become 1", "Mama", "Who Do You Think You Are", "Spice Up Your Life", "Too ...
"Wannabe" (1996) "Say You'll Be There" (1996) "2 Become 1" (1996) "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama" () "Spice Up Your Life" (1997) "Too Much" (1997) "Viva Forever" (1998) "Goodbye" (1998) "Holler" / "Let Love Lead the Way" (2000)
50. Dusty Springfield
Soundtrack | Pirate Radio
Dusty Springfield has been acknowledged around the world as the best female soul singer that Britain ever produced. With her oddly erotic, throaty voice, she racked up a string of hits from the 1960s onwards. Born in London to Irish parents, Dusty grew up in and around London. Her early work ...
"You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (1966)
51. Sugababes
Soundtrack | About Time
Sugababes is known for About Time (2013), Love Actually (2003) and 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002).
"Freak like Me" (2002) "Round Round" (2002) "Hole in the Head" (2003) "Push the Button" (2005) "Walk This Way" (with Girls Aloud - the official Comic Relief charity single 2007) "About You Now" (2007)
52. Jackie Trent
Soundtrack | Les amours imaginaires
Jackie Trent was born on September 6, 1940 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England, UK. She was an actress and composer, known for Heartbeats (2010), The Girl from the Red Cabaret (1973) and The Persuaders! (1971). She was married to Colin Gregory and Tony Hatch. She died on March 21, 2015 ...
"Where Are You Now (My Love)" (1965)
53. Bonnie Tyler
Soundtrack | Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City
Born on June 8, 1951 in Skewen, Neath, Wales. She first came to prominence in 1976 with the song, "Lost in France", which made the UK top 10. Following a throat operation, she inadvertently developed her distinct singing voice. She had a transatlantic top 5 hit with "It's a Heartache" in 1978.
She ...
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" (1983) "Let it Be" (Ferry Aid 1987)
54. Diana Vickers
Soundtrack | The Inbetweeners Movie
Diana Vickers was born on July 30, 1991 in Lancashire, England, UK. She is an actress and writer, known for The Inbetweeners (2011), Awaiting (2015) and Give Out Girls (2013).
"Hero" (with The X Factor finalists) "Once" (2010)
Tell Your Friends