A Record Three Decades in the Making, Finally Broken

Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have made UK chart history, with their duet “Rein Me In” officially becoming the longest-running British No. 1 single of all time, overtaking a record that stood untouched for more than 30 years.

Ending Wet Wet Wet’s Historic Reign

The BRIT Award-winning track has now spent 16 consecutive weeks at the top of the UK charts, surpassing Wet Wet Wet’s iconic hit “Love Is All Around,” which held the record since its dominant run during the “Four Weddings and a Funeral” era in 1994.

A Gracious Response From the Record’s Previous Holders

Wet Wet Wet, now composed of Graeme Clark, Graeme Duffin, and vocalist Kevin Simm, offered warm congratulations to Fender and Dean, expressing pride in seeing British artists continue creating music that resonates widely. The band reflected on the unexpected longevity of their own record, noting they never imagined holding it for three decades, and said performing the song live remains a meaningful part of their legacy.

A Song That Took an Unusual Path to the Top

“Rein Me In” originally debuted more than a year ago as part of Fender’s third studio album before being reworked as a duet featuring Dean. Remarkably, the track took 35 weeks to climb from its chart debut to No. 1, the longest climb to the top spot in UK chart history, before finally claiming the No. 1 position in February 2026.

A Chart Run Unlike Any Other

Since reaching No. 1, the song has become Fender’s first-ever chart-topping single and the longest-running No. 1 of the 2020s. It’s also the only song in UK chart history to return to the top spot four separate times during the same chart run, an unprecedented level of staying power.

Climbing the All-Time Rankings

With its current run, “Rein Me In” has now drawn level with Bryan Adams’ 1991 classic “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You,” from “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” making it the joint second longest-running No. 1 single in UK chart history. Only Frankie Laine’s 1958 hit “I Believe” has spent more time at the top.

A Milestone Year for the Track

Beyond its chart records, “Rein Me In” has also become just the second single ever to spend a full calendar year inside the UK Top 40. Earlier this year, the song added another accolade to its resume, winning Song of the Year at the 2026 BRIT Awards.

Still Room to Climb

With its historic run showing no signs of slowing down, “Rein Me In” could climb even higher up the all-time rankings in the weeks ahead, leaving open the possibility that Fender and Dean’s duet may soon challenge even Frankie Laine’s decades-old record.

Source: Sky News