Taylor Swift enters Number 1 album race alongside Charli xcx and Bon Jovi

The battle for this week’s Official Number 1 was looking to be a two-horse race, with Bon Jovi and Charli xcx locking horns to secure the coveted top spot with their respective records Forever and BRAT. But, in the final hours, it’s all change.

Taylor Swift has entered the chat.

Yesterday (June 12), fewer than 150 chart units separated then-leaders Bon Jovi from Charli, who was previously on course to debut at Number 2. Though, following a restock of The Tortured Poets Department CDs and vinyl with signed photo card on her online UK store, Taylor’s now back in the race.

Just 1,200 units separate the entire Top 3 in today’s update – and it’s all change at the top.

Charli’s sixth studio album BRAT now leads the pack, at Number 1 in the latest sales flash. Taylor’s sales surge now sees her tracking for Number 2, while former front-runners Bon Jovi are expected to debut at Number 3 with Forever.

Bon Jovi have now released signed CD and vinyl variants of Forever on their online UK store while, earlier this week, Charli dropped a deluxe edition of BRAT featuring three brand-new tracks; the snappily-titled ‘Brat and it’s the same but there’s three more songs so it’s not.’

Should Charli hold on, she’ll earn her second UK Number 1 album. The hyperpop auteur previously topped the chart with 2022 LP CRASH.

There’s a lot in it for Taylor, too. If she clinches it, The Tortured Poets Department will become her longest-running Number 1 record in the UK.

If Bon Jovi close the gap, they could achieve a sixth chart-topping album. The group previously scored Number 1 records with 988’s New Jersey, 1992’s Keep The Faith, 1994 hits compilation Cross Road, 1995’s These Days and 2000 release Crush.

Who do you want to see take this week’s Official Number 1 album trophy? You have until 11:59PM BST on Thursday June 13 to make your sales, streams and downloads count.

Listen to The Official Chart with Jack Saunders from 4pm this Friday June 14 on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Sounds to find out, and be sure to keep it locked to OfficialCharts.com for all the latest updates.