The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, rules the charts once again nearly five years after he died.

Xscape, the second posthumous album of previously unreleased tracks by the late star, has gone straight to the top of the album chart, shunting last week’s number one, Sheezus by Lily Allen, off the top spot.

The album features eight previously unavailable songs originally recorded between 1983 and 1999, which have been given extra sparkle by well-known producers such as Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins and Stargate.

The original versions also feature on a deluxe edition of the album

The boss of Epic Records in the US, LA Reid, was given unlimited access to a collection of recordings on which the singer had completed his vocals and then brought in a series of studio wizards to rework the songs. The original versions also feature on a deluxe edition of the album.

Jackson died in June 2009 as a result of an overdose of the anaesthetic propofol as he prepared to make a live comeback with a string of shows at London’s O2 Arena.

Some unreleased material came out the following year on an album called Michael.

In the singles chart, celebrity favourite Rita Ora’s new release, I Will Never Let You Down, debuted at number one while ‘bearded lady’ drag artiste Conchita Wurst was straight in at number 17 with Rise Like a Phoenix, fresh from his success at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song.

Waves by Dutch hip-hop star Mr Probz, All of Me by soul singer John Legend, Summer by Scottish DJ Calvin Harris and Canadian artiste Kiesza with Hideaway made up the top five singles chart.

There was another new entry at number two in the top-selling albums, with Turn Blue by American rockers the Black Keys.

Flame-haired songstress Paloma Faith’s A Perfect Contradiction was at number three, while Scottish singer Paolo Nutini’s A Caustic Love was at number four, while there was another new entry at number five in the form of Glorious by new girl on the block Foxes.