Billie downloads chart success

Doctor Who actress Billie Piper today made a surprise UK chart comeback on downloads alone.

The former pop star’s hit Honey To The Bee entered at number 17, after Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles urged his listeners to test new chart rules by buying the track.

Previously downloads were included in the Official Singles Chart only if physical copies of the song were available in shops.

From January 1 all download sales could be counted, meaning that any song available on the internet could be the next number one.

Gennaro Castaldo at HMV said that Piper’s performance showed how it is now “so easy” for fan groups or the media to propel a song up the charts.

He said: “In the past the record companies were very jealous of making sure that the releases were implemented in a very clear and transparent way.

“It’s further evidence of how bit by bit the charts are going to broaden out.”

Downloads also saw newcomer Mika oust X Factor winner Leona Lewis from the top of the charts.

Mika, tipped to become one of pop’s biggest success stories this year, climbed two places after debuting his single Grace Kelly last week.

He reached number one through download sales, since the CD version of his single is not out until January 29. Last year Gnarls Barkley were the first to score a UK number one on downloads alone.

Meanwhile Lewis, who spent four weeks in the number one spot with A Moment Like This, dropped to number six.

Just Jack climbed two places to the second slot with Stars, while The View were up eight places to see Same Jeans at number three.

JoJo was at four with Too Little Too Late and Eric Prydz vs Floyd at number five with Proper Education.

The Ordinary Boys climbed steeply with I Luv U, up from 22 to seven, while Take That remained in the top 10 with their comeback single Patience at eight.

Jamie T was the biggest mover to make the top 10, climbing from 40 to nine with Calm Down Dearest, while Booty Luv’s Boogie 2Nite dropped three places to the 10th slot.

Notable by their absence from the top 40 were Koopa. They made music history last weekend with their download-only single when they became the first unsigned band to score a UK top-40 hit.

In the album charts, Amy Winehouse stayed in prime position with Back to Black, while Lily Allen was the only new face into the top 10.

She made her re-entry by climbing from 13 to six with Alright Still.