Olivia Dean (R) with Sam Fender (L) as both receive the 'Song of the year' award on stage during The BRIT Awards 2026 at Co-op Live on February 28, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Music

Sam Fender & Olivia Dean Smash All-Time U.K. Chart Record With 'Rein Me In'

The hit duet has logged 21 weeks at No. 1, dethroning an all-time record set back in 1953.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 1 min read

Pop history has just been completely rewritten across the pond. Sam Fender and Olivia Dean have officially shattered the all-time record for the longest-running Number 1 single in U.K. chart history with their blockbuster duet, "Rein Me In." According to official figures, the track has now spent a staggering 21 weeks atop the U.K. Official Singles Chart. It initially cleared the 21st-century benchmark after topping the chart for 16 weeks, leaving Drake's previous record in the dust. From there, the duo set their sights on the all-time crown, eventually passing Frankie Laine's 1953 classic "I Believe," which held the top spot for 18 weeks over seven decades ago.

How did Sam Fender and Olivia Dean collaborate?

The massive collaboration first took shape back in June 2025 during Fender’s headline concert at London Stadium, which served as his largest solo gig to date. While touring behind his Mercury-winning record *People Watching*, the Geordie rocker brought out Dean—who was serving as his opening act—to deliver a fresh verse on an album cut. The live duet instantly sparked fan frenzy, prompting a studio version featuring Dean’s added vocals. The updated track quickly dominated streaming platforms and radio playlists, transforming a simple album track into a global powerhouse.

Oli with Sam Fender (L) as both receive the 'Song of the year' award on stage during The BRIT Awards 2026 at Co-op Live on February 28, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Oli with Sam Fender (L) as both receive the 'Song of the year' award on stage during The BRIT Awards 2026 at Co-op Live on February 28, 2026 in Manchester, England.

Did Sam Fender and Olivia Dean win a BRIT Award?

The song's cultural dominance reached new heights in February when Fender and Dean traveled to Manchester to collect the publicly voted Song of the Year trophy at the BRIT Awards. With their chart reign continuing well into the spring, Dean recently returned the favor during her own headlining shows in early May. She surprised fans by bringing Fender onto the stage for a rare live performance of their history-making anthem, proving that this powerhouse pairing isn't slowing down anytime soon.

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People also ask

What is the longest-running No. 1 song in U.K. chart history?
'Rein Me In' by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean holds the all-time U.K. record after logging 21 weeks at the top of the Official Singles Chart.
How did Sam Fender and Olivia Dean meet?
Dean was the support act for Fender's London Stadium show in June 2025, where he invited her on stage to perform a new verse on his track 'Rein Me In.'