Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have reached a remarkable milestone in British music after their collaboration Rein Me In became the longest-running number one single ever by a British artist on the UK charts.
The song has now spent an incredible 16 consecutive weeks at the top, overtaking Wet Wet Wet’s iconic 1994 hit Love Is All Around.
It has also matched Bryan Adams’ legendary chart run with (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, placing the duet among the biggest chart successes in UK music history.
A Remix That Became a Cultural Phenomenon
Originally appearing on Fender’s third studio album more than a year ago, Rein Me In took on a completely new life after being reimagined as a duet with Olivia Dean.
Released as a remix in June last year, the updated version transformed the song into a conversation between two former partners reflecting on a relationship’s breakdown.
The fresh perspective resonated with listeners, helping the track steadily build momentum before dominating the charts.
The chemistry between the two artists quickly turned the emotional ballad into one of the year’s biggest musical success stories.
Sam Fender Credits Olivia Dean for the Song’s Extraordinary Rise
Fender admitted he never expected the single to reach such historic heights, describing the achievement as surreal.
Reflecting on the record-breaking run, he said watching the song continue its reign at number one has been “ridiculous” and has given everyone involved plenty of reasons to celebrate.
The singer also praised Dean’s contribution, saying her perspective transformed the track into something far more universal.
According to Fender, presenting both sides of the relationship helped the song connect with a much wider audience while maintaining its catchy appeal.
Viral Live Performance Helped Fuel the Momentum
One of the defining moments in the song’s success came when Fender and Dean performed it together during one of his London Stadium concerts in early June.
Footage of the live performance spread rapidly across social media, introducing the duet to even more listeners and helping extend its remarkable chart run.
Fans praised the pair’s on-stage chemistry, with many describing the performance as the definitive version of the song.
Career Milestone for Both Artists
The chart triumph marks a significant career achievement for both musicians.
For Sam Fender, Rein Me In has become his first-ever UK number one single, adding another accomplishment to an already successful career.
For Olivia Dean, it represents her second chart-topping hit following the success of Man I Need, further cementing her growing reputation as one of Britain’s leading pop artists.
More Records Continue to Fall
The success of Rein Me In has not been limited to its time at number one.
The duet has also set new benchmarks by recording the longest uninterrupted stay in the UK Top 40 and the most weeks spent inside the UK Top 10 by any non-Christmas single.
Those additional milestones underline the song’s remarkable staying power in an industry where chart success often fades within weeks.
One Historic Record Still Remains
Despite rewriting several chapters of British chart history, one major record is still out of reach.
The all-time record for the longest stay at number one in the UK remains with American singer Frankie Laine, whose classic I Believe spent 18 weeks at the summit in 1953.
With Rein Me In currently sitting on 16 weeks at number one, Fender and Dean are now just two weeks away from matching the overall record and three weeks from claiming the title outright, giving fans another milestone to watch in the weeks ahead.
