Leona scoops rare US top spot

Last Modified: 27 Mar 2008
Source: ITN

Leona Lewis has become the first female British artist to reach number one in the US charts in more than 20 years.

The X Factor star has cracked the formidable US market which has shunned many succesful UK musicians.

The pop singer has seen her debut single Bleeding Love soar up the charts Stateside, on course to scoop the number one spot - something not achieved by a UK songstress since Kim Wilde released You Keep Me Hanging On in 1986.

The singer wrote of her US success on her website: "I really don't know what to say, I'm so overwhelmed right now.

"I called my family to share the news and my mum started crying. It was so sweet."

The 22-year-old has bumped R&B singer Usher off the top of the Billboard Hot 100 following a surge in download sales, after she sang live on the show.

Lewis' album Spirit is set for release in the US on April 8, complete with two new songs featuring Akon and Madd Scientist.

Spirit has already broken sales records in the UK, entering the album chart at number one and becoming Britain's fastest-selling debut ever.

Bleeding Love was the UK's best-selling single of 2007.

These news feeds are provided by an independent third party and Channel 4 is not responsible or liable to you for the same.