Madonna's chart-topping Music

It's the 10th number one for the pop supremo

Pop star Madonna has shot straight to the number one slot in the singles chart, just over two weeks after the birth of her second child.

With the success of her new single, Music, she becomes the first solo woman artist to achieve 10 number one hits.

She has had a baby, turned 42 last week and now this

Alan Jones, Music Week

All last week's top 10 moved down one place in the charts to make way for her, with last week's chart-topper Groovejet (If This Ain't Love), by Spiller, beaten into second place.

This latest success establishes Madonna as part of music's elite, with only the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard hitting the top of the UK charts more times.

'Tough battle'

Alan Jones, chart consultant for Music Week, said: "It was a tough battle against Spiller, which Madonna won by just over 1,000 sales.

"It has been a good month for her: she has had a baby, turned 42 last week and now this.

"It is her 10th number one, the most for a solo woman artist, and it is the first time she has had two number ones in a row since 1987. This proves she is back."

Posh Spice: Failed to make top spot with her single

Posh Spice Victoria Beckham's track with Truesteppers, Out Of Your Mind, moved down to number three and Rock DJ by Robbie Williams to four.

The top three in the album charts remained unchanged, with Craig David's Born To Do It still at number one.

Melanie C's solo album Northern Star moved up 13 places to four for its highest chart placing, as she challenges Geri Halliwell as the most successful solo Spice Girl.

Both equal Madonna with 10 number one singles, with the combination of their solo and group careers.

Jones said: "When Northern Star first came out 10 months ago, it only got to number 10 but it is now within two or three days of overtaking the sales of Geri Halliwell's album."