Michael Jackson's "The Essential" held onto the top spot for the fourth week in a row, meaning he has been number one in the album chart longer than any other artist this year, the Official Charts Company said today.

"Essential" and his hits package "Number Ones" have been at the top for five weeks, surpassing Lady Gaga, whose album "The Fame" was number one for four weeks.

Fans have been snapping up copies of many of Jackson's albums following his death last month. He has 10 albums in the top 50.

There was no change at number two in the album chart, where Florence & the Machine held on with "Lungs", while "The Fame" moved up two places to three.

X-Factor's R&B boy band JLS stayed at number one in the singles chart with their debut release "Beat Again".

Mr Hudson, featuring Kanye West, were a new entrant at number two with "Supernova".

Black Eyed Peas remained at three with "I Gotta Feeling".

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