Ed Sheeran was the most-played artist of 2021 in the UK, and had the most-played single with 'Bad Habits'.

Ed Sheeran was the most-played artist of 2021, and had the most-played song with 'Bad Habits'

Ed Sheeran was the most-played artist of 2021, and had the most-played song with 'Bad Habits'

The 31-year-old megastar is the only artist in history to claim both titles in two different years.

In 2017, Ed achieved the same with his mega-hit 'Shape of You' from his LP 'Divide'.

Ed has been the most-played artist in the UK for four years, however, in 2020, Dua Lipa interrupted his run by beating him to the title.

Fellow pop superstar Adele, 34, is the only other musician to claim the most-played artist and most-played song of the year in the same year.

'Hello' hitmaker Adele was the most-played artist of the year for 2011, with 'Rolling In The Deep' nabbing most-played single.

The data, compiled by the Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), found David Guetta to be the second most-played artist of 2021.

Dua is third, followed by Little Mix, Coldplay, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, Calvin Harris, Taylor Swift and Pink.

Tom Grennan, 27, has claimed two spots on the most-played singles in the UK for 2021, with his Calvin Harris collaboration 'By Your Side' placing second, and 'Little Bit Of Love' third.

The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights', 'Coldplay's 'Higher Power', Rag'n'Bone Man's 'All You Ever Wanted', 'Heartbreak Anthem' by Galantis, David Guetta and Little Mix, 'Starstruck' by Years and Years, 'Midnight Sky' by Miley Cyrus' and Joel Corry, Raye and David Guetta's 'Bed' complete the top 10.

Meaning David Guetta is the only other artist to have two songs in the top 10.

Peter Leathem, chief executive of PPL, said: "Congratulations to Ed Sheeran for having the UK's most-played track of 2021 and being the UK's most-played artist of 2021.

"His chart-topping success over the last five years is a testament to not only the quality of his output but also the strength of UK music at a time when the global music landscape is more competitive than ever."

The most-played artists of 2021:

1. Ed Sheeran

2. David Guetta

3. Dua Lipa

4. Little Mix

5. Coldplay

6. The Weeknd

7. Justin Bieber

8. Calvin Harris

9. Taylor Swift

10. Pink

Most-played singles in the UK for 2021:

1. 'Bad Habits' – Ed Sheeran

2. 'By Your Side' – Calvin Harris featuring Tom Grennan

3. 'Little Bit Of Love' – Tom Grennan

4. 'Blinding Lights' – The Weeknd

5. 'Higher Power' – Coldplay

6. 'All You Ever Wanted' – Rag'n'Bone Man

7. 'Heartbreak Anthem' – Galantis, David Guetta and Little Mix

8. 'Starstruck' – Years and Years

9. 'Midnight Sky' – Miley Cyrus

10. 'Bed' – Joel Corry, Raye and David Guetta

Tagged in