By TASH MOSHEIM SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: 14:53 BST, 20 May 2025 | Updated: 14:57 BST, 20 May 2025

The crown has changed hands in the battle for Britain’s airwaves.

Dua Lipa has sensationally beaten Taylor Swift to be named the most played artist across UK radio, television and public spaces in 2024, overtaking Taylor Swift and ending Ed Sheeran’s three-year run at the top.

The singer, 29, known for hits including ‘Dance The Night’ and ‘Levitating’, has ousted ‘Shape Of You’ singer Ed Sheeran from the top spot, ending his lengthy reign at number one.

She previously topped the annual chart in 2020, compiled by the music licensing company Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL).

Mr Sheeran, 34, drops to third place, with Ms Swift ranked second.

Ms Lipa said: ‘It’s a real honour to be named the most played artist in the UK for the second time. 2024 was an incredible year and I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported my music on the radio, TV and in venues around the country.’

Her 2018 hit ‘One Kiss’, a collaboration with Calvin Harris, remains her most played track, averaging 55 plays per day.

Dua Lipa has sensationally beaten Taylor Swift to be named the most played artist across UK radio, television and public spaces in 2024, overtaking Taylor Swift and ending Ed Sheeran ¿s three-year run at the top

Dua Lipa has sensationally beaten Taylor Swift to be named the most played artist across UK radio, television and public spaces in 2024, overtaking Taylor Swift and ending Ed Sheeran ‘s three-year run at the top

The singer, 29, known for hits including Dance The Night and Levitating, has ousted Shape Of You singer Ed Sheeran from the top spot, ending his three-year run at number one.

The singer, 29, known for hits including Dance The Night and Levitating, has ousted Shape Of You singer Ed Sheeran from the top spot, ending his three-year run at number one. 

Mr Sheeran, 34, drops to third place, with Ms Swift ranked second

Mr Sheeran, 34, drops to third place, with Ms Swift ranked second 

British artists accounted for 70 per cent of PPL¿s most played tracks, with newcomers such as Myles Smith joining mainstays like Coldplay and Sir Elton John in the top ten (pictured at Glastonbury)

British artists accounted for 70 per cent of PPL’s most played tracks, with newcomers such as Myles Smith joining mainstays like Coldplay and Sir Elton John in the top ten (pictured at Glastonbury)  

In total, her songs were played around 400 times daily across the country last year, according to PPL data.

The singer, who headlined Glastonbury last summer following the release of her third album Radical Optimism, is also the youngest person on this year’s Sunday Times 40 Under 40 Rich List.

Her 2024 single ‘Houdini’, which reached number two on the UK charts, was also one of the year’s most broadcast songs, placing sixth overall.

British artists accounted for 70 per cent of PPL’s most played tracks, with newcomers such as Myles Smith joining mainstays like Coldplay and Sir Elton John in the top ten.

Other artists on the list include Calvin Harris, Ariana Grande, Becky Hill and Harry Styles. 

Noah Kahan’s Stick Season was named the most played individual track of the year.

Peter Leathem, chief executive of PPL, said: ‘Congratulations once again to Dua Lipa for leading PPL’s most played artist chart, and to Noah Kahan for securing the most played track of the year.

‘British artists continue to perform well, making up 70% of the top 10 – proving they have staying power across the nation’s broadcasters, businesses and public spaces.

‘It is also fantastic to see fresh UK talent such as Myles Smith make a big splash in the top five most played tracks, showing there is plenty of promise in UK music going forward.’

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Queen of the airwaves: Dua Lipa sensationally beats Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran to become the UK’s most played artist of 2024

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