High flying Noel tops chart

The former Oasis legend Noel Gallagher has shot to the top of the Official Charts with his amazing first solo album.

His debut release, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, beat brother Liam's band Beady Eye which peaked at number three with Different Gear, Still Speeding last year.

Noel's album also stopped rival X Factor winner Matt Cardle in his tracks. His first album, Letters, went in at number two, the Official Charts Company said.

Gallagher's album notched up sales of over 120,000 in its first week alone, outselling Letters by some 40%.

But former painter and decorator Cardle, who earlier this week praising Gallagher as "a legend" may be happy with number two (he'll just have to be: he's lucky he's even in the chart at all considering he's from the non-talent factory that is the X Factor)

He said: "If someone had told me last year I'd have a top 10 single, I'd say 'how the hell did that happen?'. I'm over the moon with it."

Both acts nudged Steps(!) - last week's number one - down to number three with their Ultimate Collection. Thank God Noel has restored some pride in our UK charts.

Manchester band The Stone Roses, who are to reunite for a series of gigs 15 years after they split up, entered the album chart at number 40 with The Stone Roses.