The BBC's Chris West: "Tradition wins"

The Office for National Statistics says Jack and Chloe were the most popular names for boys and girls born in England and Wales last year.

The top choice for boys has remained the same for four years, followed closely by other traditional favourites like Thomas, James and Daniel.

Chloe is the most popular name for girls for the second year running, while Emily remains second, followed by Megan, Jessica and Sophie.

Richard and Judy's twins are called Jack and Chloe

Remarkably, John falls out of the top 50 boys' names. It has been a popular choice for more than half a century and was favourite in 1944.

By 1984 it had fallen to 14th position and its decline in recent years has been rapid. Last year it fell two places to 41st.

The top five boys' names remain the same as last year, although Thomas, in second place, has replaced James which drops to third.

Owen, Dylan, Ethan and Max enter the top 50 for the first time at the expense of Ashley, Joe, Scott and John.

For girls, Melissa, Kayleigh and Natalie have been replaced by more unusual names like Lydia, Amelia and Phoebe.

Phoebe could well have become popular as a result of the hit US series Friends, which features hippy dippy Phoebe as one of the main stars.

Caitlin also proved a popular choice, rising 19 places in 1998 to 28th.

Gaining popularity

Classic names such as Zoe, Laura and Victoria were all casualties in the race for top slots, falling by up to 13 places.

Boys' names gaining in popularity include Callum, Cameron, William, Harry and Charlie.

The high profile of the young Princes William and Harry over the past year may be the reason for the significant rise in popularity of their names.

Oasis star Liam Gallagher may be concerned to know that the popularity of his forename is dwindling, falling 10 places in 1998.

TV favourites

However, one of Britain's most famous couples can take credit for anticipating the popularity of children's names Jack and Chloe.

Their school age twins, Jack and Chloe are top of the name charts.

A spokesman Granada, which produces This Morning, said: "Richard and Judy's twins were named years ago, so they're obviously ahead of the game."

In a sign of Britain's multiÁcultural make-up, Mohammed remains a firm favourite, ranked at 34 in the top 50.

Celtic names also make a significant part of the list, with Megan, Shannon, Connor and Callum all in the top 20.

The annual list is compiled from the names of babies born in 1998, and added to the National Health Service Central Register up to December 15.

The top 10 names for boys:

• Jack
• Thomas
• James
• Daniel
• Joshua
• Matthew
• Samuel
• Callum
• Joseph
• Jordan

• Chloe
• Emily
• Megan
• Jessica
• Sophie
• Charlotte
• Hannah
• Lauren
• Rebecca
• Lucy