Maldon's own Sam Ryder celebrates number 1
His debut album - There’s Nothing But Space, Man! - has topped the UK charts
Last updated 17th Dec 2022
Maldon's very own Sam Ryder is celebrating after his debut album – There’s Nothing But Space, Man! – topped the UK charts.
The 33-year-old singer finally clinched the top spot after placing second in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest and peaking at number two in the Official Singles Chart with his uplifting pop song Space Man earlier in this year.
It has become the first debut album by a British male solo artist to reach number one in more than three years.
Ryder told the Official Charts Company: “It looks like Christmas came early, because we achieved a number one record together. Thank you all so much. If you knew the amount of people who’ve worked so hard on this, it’d blow your mind. This is pure collaboration.
“It couldn’t have been done without so many fabulous, amazing, optimistic legends. I love you, peace.”
The album’s success rounds off a mammoth year of success for the Essex singer, who rose to fame as the British hopeful in Eurovision missing out on the top spot to Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra.
He has gone on to perform at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace, appeared at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert at Wembley Stadium singing a rendition of Queen’s Somebody To Love with Brian May, Roger Taylor and Foo Fighters, and has been commissioned to host his own BBC One New Year’s Eve TV special alongside special guests Mel C and Sigrid.