Musician James Blunt has received confirmation from the Official Charts Company that he will not have to change his name to Blunty McBluntface. The 50-year-old singer made a promise to legally change his name if his 20th-anniversary edition of his debut album, “Back To Bedlam,” topped the UK albums chart this week. Blunt allowed the public to choose the name as a parody of Boaty McBoatface, a viral campaign in 2016 to name the UK’s polar research ship.
Despite receiving five Grammy nominations for his chart-topping first album, including a nomination for Song of the Year for “You’re Beautiful,” the re-release of “Back To Bedlam” landed at number seven on the charts. The top spot this week was taken by Charli XCX’s album “Brat,” featuring collaborations with artists like Ariana Grande, The 1975, and Kesha.
In a playful jab at Charli XCX, Blunt posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption “Blunty McBluntface is coming for you,” referencing the competition between their albums on the charts. Charli XCX’s album “Brat” gained popularity online, with hits like “Guess” featuring Billie Eilish reaching number one on the UK singles chart.
Other notable entries in the UK albums chart this week include “The Mighty Several” by Paul Heaton at number two and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short N’ Sweet” at number three. In the singles chart, Carpenter’s song “Taste” held the number one position for the eighth consecutive week, with Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ duet “Die With A Smile” at number two.
The music scene continues to be vibrant and diverse, with artists from various genres capturing the attention of listeners. James Blunt may not have to adopt a new moniker, but his music remains a significant part of the industry as he continues to entertain fans with his unique style and sound.