Ask Official Charts: Which week had the most new entries in the UK Top 40?

We look back at the weeks in the Official Chart's 66-year history where new entries ruled.

The Official Singles Chart Top 40 can, for some, be a tough nut to crack - particularly in the streaming era, when standing out from the abundance of weekly new releases feels trickier than ever before.

The average number of new entries in the Top 40 each week has fluctuated over the course of the Official Chart's 66-year history, but there was a period in the '90s and early '00s when the number of new entries in a week reached its peak, and on one occasion made up half of the Top 40.

Nowadays, unless you're a global superstar at the top of your game, bagging a Top 40 debut is usually considered an admirable achievement, with the hope that it will climb in the coming weeks. Back then, when singles typically had a six-week build up on TV and radio before their release, it was all about gunning for a Top 10 hit.

To date, the busiest week for new entries on the Official Singles Chart was the week ending May 17 in 1997, when 20 songs - precisely half of the Top 40 - was made up of new tracks.

The new songs that week began right at the top end, with a brand new Number 1: Olive's club anthem You're Not Alone. The trip-hop trio spent two weeks at the top with it - and this year it was given the orchestral treatment by singer Astraea for the Lloyds bank advert.

A further four new entries landed in the Top 10 that week, including British R&B boyband Damage and Scottish rockers Primal Scream. The eclectic lineup continues: Mary J Blige, Sinead O'Connor and Embrace were among the new tracks in the Top 40. At the very tail end was a new entry from British electronic duo Propellerheads - Spybreak! landed at 40. Look back at the full chart from that week here.

The second busiest week for new entries in singles chart history was the w/e 11th November 1995, when Robson & Jerome beat Oasis' Wonderwall to the top spot.

The weeks with the most new entries on the Official Singles Chart appear below. Click on each date to view the full chart.

DATE	NEW ENTRIES
17/05/1997	20
11/11/1995	19
05/03/2005	18
10/05/1997	18
06/04/1996	18
30/03/1996	18
30/09/1995	18
11/01/1992	18
16/10/2004	17
11/03/2000	17
02/05/1998	17
03/10/1998	17
01/11/1997	17