Chrystal Orchard, from Farnworth, began her music career last decade after dropping a law degree to study music and music production.

Known professionally as Chrystal, she released her debut single ‘Waves’ in 2017, which turned out to be her first hit.

It was picked as Weekend Anthem on BBC Radio 1xtra, the World Record on Beats1 and even made its way onto the Hottest tracklist in the Sunday Times.

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At the age of 22 Chrystal was studying law at the University of Bolton but swapped courses and moved to Manchester Media Academy to study music and music production.

Now, her latest single ‘The Days’, released in October has been steadily climbing the charts, peaking at number 5.

At the time of writing, it is still sitting at number 5 on the Official Single Charts Top 100.

The Days is available on download and streaming services now.

Ed Sheeran has scored an eighth UK number one album with his +–=÷× (Tour Collection) compilation, made up of the singer’s biggest hits and live recordings, the Official Charts Company has confirmed.

The album reached the top spot after 14 weeks on the charts, following a vinyl release, having made its debut in October 2024.

The record is also at number one in the Official Vinyl Albums Chart and Official Record Store Chart, for albums sold in independent UK record shops.

His previous albums to reach the summit were +, X, Divide, No 6 Collaborations Project, =, -, and Autumn Variations.

The 33-year-old, who began his career in 2004, has also had 14 UK number one singles, and has become known in recent years for his support of relegation-threatened Premier League football club Ipswich Town, which he sponsors.

The rest of the top five in the UK album chart remains unchanged this week, with Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet at number two, SZA’s SOS in at three, Chappell Roan’s The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess at number four, and Charli xcx’s Brat at five.

Mamma Mia’s prominence in Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, which aired on Christmas Day, has also seen Abba Gold climb back into the top 20 album chart at number 13.

Singer Gracie Abrams returned to the top of the UK singles chart on Friday with That’s So True, reaching six non-consecutive weeks at the top.

Lola Young secured her first top three single, with her song Messy rebounding 30 places to number three having previously peaked at seven.

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