Leona set to smash debut album record
Leona Lewis’s debut album is on course to smash the record for the fastest-selling UK debut of all time.
Spirit exceeded all expectations by shifting a massive 130,000 copies on its first day of release yesterday, according to midweek chart figures.
Industry experts believe sales may top 400,000 by the end of the week - comfortably beating Arctic Monkeys, who hold the record for fastest UK debut with sales of 363,735.
X Factor winner Leona is trouncing nearest rivals the Spice Girls, who brought out their Greatest Hits album on the same day.
The 22-year-old is already celebrating after her single, Bleeding Love, became the biggest selling song of the year.
The other big album release of the week, Led Zeppelin’s Mothership, is currently at number six, behind The Killers, Celine Dion and Westlife.
HMV’s Gennaro Castaldo said: “This is proving to be a brilliant week for the UK music industry, with the top 10 albums between them looking likely to sell the best part of a million copies.
“Leona’s success in leading this surge is absolutely remarkable. Many of us expected the album to do really well, particularly following the number one success of Bleeding Love and the impact of Leona’s appearance on the X Factor a few weeks ago, but very few people would have expected such phenomenal first day sales.
“It’s difficult to know quite what’s behind this amazing return by Leona, but it’s clear that a lot of her loyal X Factor fans have now been joined by a new fan base.
“It’s hard luck on the Spice Girls, who any other week would have had a number one album to cap their own return.”
He added: “Aside from breaking the Arctics’ record for the fastest-selling debut album, Leona is already looking a safe bet for the Christmas number one, and is very likely to bank more than a million sales before the end of the year. A superstar is born.”
