Prince enters Official Albums Chart Top 10 just hours after news breaks of his death

Following the announcement of his passing yesterday evening, Thursday 21 April, Prince is already making an impact on the UK’s Official Albums Chart.

Although the majority of Prince's classic albums and singles are not currently available on most streaming services, the star sees two hits collections return to the albums' Top 40 today, just hours after news broke of his death at his Paisley Park home in Minneapolis.

Counting sales from the announcement yesterday evening until midnight last night, bumper hits package Ultimate, which originally peaked at Number 6 in 2007, re-enters the Official Albums Chart at Number 10. The Very Best of Prince, which hit Number 2 in 2001, goes back in at Number 18.

In addition to the greatest hits packages resurfacing, there are a number of classic Prince tracks hovering outside the Official Singles Chart Top 40 today, with 1984 hit Purple Rain making the biggest showing at Number 65, while When Doves Cry and Kiss follow further down – the Official Charts Company expects these tracks to climb as more fans reconnect with his music over the next few days.

Official Charts Company chief executive Martin Talbot said, “The great shock of last night is already translating into a clear outpouring of respect and love for Prince. The rapid impact on the Official Albums Chart – and no doubt the Official Singles Chart next week – underlines just what this extraordinary, iconic artist meant to the great British public.”

As tributes continue to pour in, fans reminisce about their idol and others find renewed appreciation of his music, it's likely Prince will dominate both charts in Monday's Official Chart Update, which assesses sales and streams from Friday and over the weekend.

MORE: See where all Prince's UK hit singles and albums peaked in his Official Chart archive

The Official Chart Update is announced first on BBC Radio 1 from 5:30pm. You can see the full Top 100 on OfficialCharts.com shortly after.