George Michael will stretch his run of UK No 1 albums to more than three decades this weekend as Symphonica heads to the top.

The EMI-issued album now has a sales lead of 70% over its nearest rival, Parlophone act Kylie Minogue's Kiss Me Once, according to the Official Charts Company, and will become his seventh solo chart-topper. He has also led the countdown with Wham! on two occasions.

The artist first topped the UK albums chart in July 1983 ...