BBC News Online: Entertainment: Music

Invincible tops album chart

Invincible: Criticised by journalists, but bought by fans

The album, which has been panned by music critics but defended by fans, beat off competition from Mis-teeq, the Backstreet Boys and Russel Watson.

It is believed to be one of the biggest opening-week sellers of the year.

The record, his first in six years and the first of wholly new material since 1991, has been eagerly awaited by fans - but was criticised by journalists who heard previews.

Early sales figures showed the 43-year-old pop icon outselling his nearest rivals Steps by three to one in the battle for the top slot.

Steps' album Gold dropped from the top spot to number two.

Mis-Teeq's Lickin' on Both Sides entered the chart at number three while tenor Watson scored a number six position.

Jackson will have difficulty topping his past sales achievements, however.

His album Thriller became the biggest seller of all time, shifting 47 million copies.

The official sound track to the Harry Potter movie, composed by John Williams, entered the chart at number 19, despite the fact the film is not released until 16 November.