Peter Gabriel's i/o pips ATEEZ album THE WORLD EP.FIN : WILL to Number 1

After a neck-and-neck chart race that saw a synth-pop pioneer take on rising K-pop juggernaut, Peter Gabriel pips ATEEZ to the post to claim his third solo Official Number 1 album, and first in 37 years, with i/o. 

Former Genesis lead singer Gabriel’s first collection of new material in 21 years, and the highest-charting since 1992 release Us (2). Prior to this, the Surrey-born singer-songwriter has enjoyed chart-topping solo success with Peter Gabriel 3 (1980) and So (1986).

i/o also peaks at Number 2 on both the Official Vinyl Albums Chart and Official Record Store Chart this week.

Speaking exclusively to Official Charts, Peter Gabriel says: "It was 37 years ago that So was the Official Number 1 album and I never expected to be here again.

"I've just been told that we are Number 1 in the UK with i/o, so it's amazing. I want to thank everyone that helped me make the album because it was a long, slow process, involving a lot of very talented people. But, mainly I need to thank all of you for supporting me for all this time and for making this happen. Thank you."

WATCH Peter Gabriel accept his Official Number 1 album award for i/o below:

MORE: See where every Peter Gabriel song and album has charted in the UK here

Just missing out at Number 2, K-pop outfit ATEEZ claim a career-best with THE WORLD EP.FIN : WILL. The third and final record of the group’s THE WORLD trilogy, it sees members Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho surpass their previous UK peak with Number 10-charting collection THE WORLD EP.2 : OUTLAW.

MORE: 2023 Official Christmas Number 1 single contenders revealed

Elsewhere, Michael Bublé’s former Number 1 festive staple Christmas rises one this week (3). The record, originally released in 2011, houses Bublé’s take on It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, recently crowned by Official Charts as the official biggest Christmas song of the 21st century. See the full list of the Official biggest Christmas songs of the 21st century here.

Sharing its title, Cher’s 2023 collection Christmas breaks the Top 10 for the first time following the icon’s recent UK promo tour (8); including a performance of its lead single DJ Play a Christmas Song on last week’s The Graham Norton Show. 

MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2023 Official Christmas Number 1 single race

Elsewhere, Pink’s former chart-topper TRUSTFALL sees a surge back into the Top 20 thanks to the release of a Tour Deluxe Edition (15). This repackaged version includes brand-new tracks including Marshmello and Sting collaboration Dreaming and latest single All Out of Fight.

Soft Cell’s influential 1981 debut Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret returns to the Top 40 for the first time in 41 years thanks to a multi-format reissue (31) and, finally, Travis Scott’s former Number 1 LP UTOPIA lifts as the record receives a physical release (33). 

See the full Official Albums Chart Top 100 here from 5.45pm.