Hear'Say set for chart history

Hear'Say: Looking to make more chart history

Popstars group Hear'Say are on course to become the first band to enjoy a simultaneous number one debut single and album, according to music industry figures.

Early chart figures show that the act's album, called Popstars, sold 86,000 copies during its first day on sale, suggesting it could sell more than 250,000 by Sunday.

The Hear'Say phenomenon just seems to be getting bigger and bigger

Gennaro Castaldo, HMV

Their single, Pure and Simple, is still at number one after two weeks and sales figures indicate it could enjoy a third week at he top.

Gennaro Castaldo of HMV said Hear'Say were on the brink of making more pop music history.

He said: "The Hear'Say phenomenon just seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

"Not only are we looking at one of the fastest-selling albums by a debut act ever, but they are on course for a simultaneous number one debut single and album - the first time ever in chart history."

First week

The biggest first week album sales in the UK were for Oasis's Be Here Now in 1997 when it sold 663,000 copies, while last year the Beatles greatest hits collection, called 1, sold 319,000 in a week.

Hear'Say's record label Polydor is believed to have sent out about 600,000 copies of the album.

The group - Myleene Klass, Danny Foster, Suzanne Shaw, Kym Marsh and Noel Sullivan - have been mobbed at recent promotions for their album.

About 8,000 fans arrived at Woolworths in Milton Keynes for a signing session earlier this month.

But criticism of the group continues - the Stereophonics have repeated their attack on them, claiming the five members are "in it for the money".

The Stereophonics's latest single, Mr Writer, is at number five in the charts.