We meet again, Dame Vera, as Forces' Sweetheart tops charts aged 92

Published on Sunday 13 September 2009 22:09

THE Forces' Sweetheart last night trumped the Fab Four in the battle for the top of the charts, making Dame Vera Lynn the oldest living artist in the world to have a number one album. Dame Vera's debut offering We'll Meet Again – The Very Best of Vera Lynn hit the top spot, meaning the 92-year-old has now usurped Bob Dylan as the oldest artist to grace the premium position.

Her album outsold artists including Arctic Monkeys, Jamie T and The Kings of Leon, and even trumped The Beatles' much-hyped remastered editions.

The 60s legends occupied the fifth, sixth, ninth, tenth, 21st, 24th, 29th, 31st, 33rd, 37th and 38th spots, according to the Official Charts Company.

It is 70 years to the month since Dame Vera, then 22, visited the Decca studios and first recorded We'll Meet Again in 1939. She said: "I am extremely surprised and delighted, and a big 'thank you' to all my fans for putting me there."

HMV's Gennaro Castaldo said the fact The Beatles albums went on sale late in the week damaged their chances of a number one.

He added: "It's a really lovely surprise, that nobody could have imagined a few weeks ago, and it's ironic that it's taken one revered British icon to block the historic return of another to the top of the charts."