Ed Sheeran has been named the most played artist in the United Kingdom for the seventh year, while British artists dominate a new chart compiled by music licensing company PPL.

The Suffolk-based singer-songwriter tops the list for most songs played on British radio, television and in public places.

Sheeran, 33, has topped the same list on seven different occasions, having sold more than 150 million records across the world since his emergence with debut album + in 2011.

Acknowledging his placement, he said:  ‘Thank you for naming me the most played artist for last year.

‘Thank you to my team, not just for me, but for all the other artists you work with – I’m happy that you get this recognition.’

Ed Sheeran has been named the most played artist in the United Kingdom for the seventh year, while British artists dominate a new chart compiled by music licensing company PPL

His latest appearance at the top of the PPL chart is his third in as many years and sees him overshadow pop titan Taylor Swift , who climbs from 10th to second place

His latest appearance at the top of the PPL chart is his third in as many years and sees him overshadow pop titan Taylor Swift, who climbs from 10th to second place, matching her 2015 placement.

British-Albanian star Dua Lipa – whose third album Radical Optimism was released in May – also features in third place.

Elsewhere Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris, whose work includes collaborations with Lipa, Rita Ora and Rihanna among others, occupies fourth position.

In fifth place, French DJ David Guetta is the only non-British artist in the top six, with Sir Elton John sitting directly below him in sixth.

Elsewhere Tom Grennan is a new entry at number eight, with former One Direction star Harry Styles – whose last album, Harry’s House, was released in 2022 – occupying ninth place.

British band Coldplay, the only group in the top ten, sit in seventh place, while pioneering pop legend Madonna takes tenth spot.

However Sheeran finds himself in second place behind American artist Miley Cyrus in the chart for most played song.

Cyrus and her earworm single Flowers take top spot, while Sheeran’s Eyes Closed is second.

British-Albanian star Dua Lipa – whose third album Radical Optimism was released in May – also features in third place

Ed Sheeran and James Blunt sing impromptu ‘You’re Beautiful’ duet

Chris Martin’s Coldplay, the only band in the top ten, sit in seventh place

Further down, Lewis Capaldi is third with hit single Forget Me, while Taylor Swift’s Anti-Hero sits in fourth place. claims fourth.

P!nk also features prominently, with the American artist taking fifth, sixth and seventh slots with her hits Dance the Night, Miracle and Trustfall.

The United States is also represented courtesy of the Jonas Brothers, whose catchy single Waffle House takes eighth spot.

Swift features for a second time with Cruel Summer in ninth place, while Niall Horan rounds up the top ten with Heaven.

Peter Leathem, the chief executive of PPL, said: ‘Congratulations to all artists featured this year and especially Ed and Miley on their respective number ones.”

‘As the global music market gets more competitive, it is fantastic to see that seven out of the top 10 most played acts are British.

‘The charts highlight the important role broadcasters and businesses of all shapes and sizes play in supporting home-grown talent.’