Ed Sheeran Named As The Most Played Artist Of 2015

Congratulations are in order for Ed Sheeran, who has been named the most played artist of 2015 in the UK in Phonographic Performance Ltd’s (PPL) annual People’s Charts.

We’re also sending congratulations to Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, whose ‘Uptown Funk’ was the most played pop track of the year in the UK.

It was a successful year for Brits in general too, with the top six most played tracks coming from our artists - Mark Ronson, Ellie Goulding, James Bay, Years & Years, Jess Glynne and Ed Sheeran.

Ed, who reached third place in the most played artist chart in 2014, is thought to owe his incredible success and top ranking to the ‘broadcast and public use of the hugely popular Thinking Out Loud, Photograph, and Bloodstream (with Rudimental)’.

His close friend Taylor Swift has nabbed the second place spot, while Olly Murs is at number three.

Copyright [Yui Mok/PA Wire]

Adele only reached number 20, but is expected to make more of an impact in 2016′s chart.

The top ten most played artists of the year are as follows:

1. Ed Sheeran

2. Taylor Swift

3. Olly Murs

4. Take That

5. Ellie Goulding

6. Sam Smith

7. Jess Glynne

8. Years & Years

9. Mark Ronson

10. Maroon 5

In the most played pop tracks list, Ellie Goulding is behind Mark Ronson at number two with ‘Love Me Like You Do’, while James Bay’s ‘Hold Back The River’ is at number three.

Years & Years and Taylor Swift also make appearances in the top ten, which looks like this:

1. Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars

2. Love Me Like You Do, Ellie Goulding

3. Hold Back The River, James Bay

4. King, Years & Years

5. Hold My Hand, Jess Glynne

6. Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran

7. Sugar, Maroon 5

8. Want To Want Me, Jason Derulo

9. Up, Demi Lovato and Olly Murs

10. Style, Taylor Swift

The charts are compiled using airplay data from radio and TV, and from play in pubs, restaurants, shops and other businesses.