Ren pulls ahead of Rick Astley in race for UK's Number 1 album

Welsh artist Ren has spectacularly pulled ahead of Rick Astley in the race for this week's UK Number 1 album. 

With less than 24 hours to go until the Official Albums Chart will be result decided, the singer, rapper, writer and producer Ren is in the midst of performing a heroic attempt to score his first chart-topping album in the UK with his second full-length record, Sick Boi.

After being stuck behind pop stalwart Rick for most of the week, in the last full day of the race to Number 1, Ren has just leapfrogged into pole position, pushing Rick's new album Are We There Yet? down to Number 2.

But this is by no means a done deal. With little over 350 chart units currently separating the two artists, it's still all to play for as we enter the last few hours where things could all change once again. The polls for the Official Albums Chart end at midnight tonight, so whoever you're backing make sure you've jumped on it before then.

Chatting to Official Charts earlier this week, Ren said that: "having a shot at Number 1 is the most mind-blowing thing ever. I've been working towards this since I was 12."

MORE: Read our full interview with Ren here

If he manages to hold on into tomorrow, Sick Boi would become Ren's first-ever Number 1 album in the UK, as well as his first album to ever chart inside the Official Albums Chart. He previously self-released a 2016 debut album, Freckled Angels, and a series of EPs; The Tale of Jenny & Screech (2019), Demos (Do Not Share) Volumes 1 & 2 (2020) and Violet's Tale (2022).

Meanwhile, Rick Astley is no stranger to success on the Official Charts. Of course, he topped the Official Singles Chart with one of the most enduring hits of the 80s, Never Gonna Give You Up, in 1987 for five weeks. He has previously claimed two UK Number 1 albums to boot; Whenever You Need Somebody (1987) and 50 (2016).  

The UK's Number 1 album will be revealed tomorrow (Friday 20 October) live on BBC Radio 1's Official Chart Show with Jack Saunders from 4pm. Check back at OfficialCharts.com for the final result.