One Direction’s Comic Relief single leads charge for Number 1

One Direction are storming ahead in the race for Number 1 on this week’s Official Singles Chart with their new single One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks).

Due to perform their new track at The BRITs this evening, Harry, Zayn, Niall, Louis and Liam - AKA One Direction - have nabbed a strong lead of almost 20,000 copies in the race to this week's Number 1 single with One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks), putting them as favourites to clinch the charts crown this weekend ahead of contenders including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ Thrift Shop (2) and Bauuer’s Harlem Shake (3).

One Way Or Another is a cover of the Blondie track of the same name, incorporating John Peel favourite Teenage Kicks. A Number 1 this weekend would give the 1D lads their third Official Number 1 and sixth Top 10 single in less than 18 months.

Official Chart fact: according to Official Charts Company sales data, UK sales of One Way Or Another so far this week shows that by midnight last night (Tuesday) One Direction have already surpassed the full opening week sales of Sugababes V Girls Aloud’s Walk This Way, the Comic Relief single of 2007.

High climbers

In a quiet week for new releases, One Direction are the only new entry debut inside the Official Top 40. However, big climbs are happening for Olly Murs as Army Of Two, taken from his chart-topping album Right Place, Right Time leaps 64 places to Number 25 midweek.

The Voice contestant Tyler James breaks into the Top 40 with Worry About You, up 23 places to number 32. Plus, The Script’s If You Could See Me Now, written about the death of frontman Danny O’Donoghue’s father and bandmate Mark Sheehan’s parents, is making significant ground on the Official Singles Chart, up 79 places week on week to Number 39.

The Official Singles Chart Update Top 40 is as follows:

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