Elvis birthday present could be 19th No 1

Elvis fans around the world are celebrating what would have been the King’s 70th birthday today.

And the singer, who died in August 1977, is set to receive the perfect birthday present – a number one record.

The re-release of Jailhouse Rock is almost certain to top the chart tomorrow.

It will give Elvis his 19th number one 27 years after his death.

Latest figures show he is outselling nearest rival Steve Brookstein by 3,500 copies.

Jailhouse Rock first topped the charts on January 24 1958.

Record label SonyBMG are releasing every one of the King’s 18 chart-toppers to mark his 70th birthday.

If he does knock X Factor crooner Brookstein of the top spot, Elvis will bag the 999th number one since the chart began.

He is also vying to make history by scoring the 1,000th number one.

Monday sees the re-release of his 1959 chart-topper One Night/I Got Stung, followed the next week by A Fool Such As I/I Need Your Love Tonight.

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: “A number of factors appear to be coming together to give Elvis a chance of securing the UK’s 1,000th number one single.

“We know that he has iconic appeal and a very loyal fanbase that can be relied on to turn out in large numbers.

“It’s also the perfect time of year to achieve any kind of chart success, as singles sales tend to be at their lowest after the Christmas peak and high-profile releases can be expected to do very well in relation to other songs out at that time.

“You can never predict the charts with any real certainty, but if Elvis does achieve this special landmark, it would be entirely fitting given his key role in shaping the charts over the past 50 years.”