Ed Sheeran was the most-played artist of 2021 in the UK, and had the most-played single with ‘Bad Habits’.
The 31-year-old megastar is the only artist in history to claim both titles in two different years.
In 2017, Ed achieved the same with his mega-hit ‘Shape of You’ from his LP ‘Divide’.
Ed has been the most-played artist in the UK for four years, however, in 2020, Dua Lipa interrupted his run by beating him to the title.
Fellow pop superstar Adele, 34, is the only other musician to claim the most-played artist and most-played song of the year in the same year. ‘Hello’ hitmaker Adele was the most-played artist of the year for 2011, with ‘Rolling In The Deep’ nabbing most-played single.
The data, compiled by the Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), found David Guetta to be the second most-played artist of 2021.
Dua is third, followed by Little Mix, Coldplay, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Calvin Harris, Taylor Swift and Pink.
The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’, ‘Coldplay’s ‘Higher Power’, Rag’n’Bone Man’s ‘All You Ever Wanted’, ‘Heartbreak Anthem’ by Galantis, David Guetta and Little Mix, ‘Starstruck’ by Years and Years, ‘Midnight Sky’ by Miley Cyrus’ and Joel Corry, Raye and David Guetta’s ‘Bed’ complete the top 10.
Meaning David Guetta is the only other artist to have two songs in the top 10.
