Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have secured their place in British music history, as their collaborative track Rein Me In has now spent 19 non-consecutive weeks at the summit of the UK singles chart. This milestone surpasses the long-standing record previously held by Frankie Laine, whose 1953 hit I Believe spent 18 weeks in the top spot.
Speaking to Jack Saunders on BBC Radio 1, Fender expressed his disbelief at the achievement. The song, which also earned the title of song of the year at the Brit Awards, is a reworked duet from Fender’s Mercury Prize-winning album, People Watching. Dean contributed a new verse that provides a female perspective on a relationship breakdown, a addition Fender believes transformed the song into a universal anthem.
The track’s ascent was gradual. Originally a solo effort by Fender, it was re-released as a duet in June 2025 and did not reach number one until February 2026. Its popularity was significantly bolstered by social media, particularly on TikTok, following live performances by the duo at London Stadium and St James Park. Critics have praised the song for its emotional depth and honest exploration of post-relationship struggles. Other notable long-running chart-toppers that the pair have now overtaken include Wet Wet Wet’s Love Is All Around and Bryan Adams’ (Everything I Do) I Do It For You.
