LONDON: Madonna was the most played artist of the last decade in the UK, according to music licensing body PPL. The singer, 51, who had her first UK hit with Holiday in 1984, beat The Beatles into second place and Robbie Williams into third.

Queen were fourth and Take That were fifth in the chart compiled for BBC Radio 2.

It was based on plays — between 2000 and 2009 — on TV, radio and in public places including pubs, clubs and shops. Madonna was the only female solo singer to make the top 10.

Girl band Sugababes, meanwhile, who entered the UK charts for the first time in 2000 with Overload, were the only act in the top 10 who emerged within the decade being scrutinised. In December, PPL announced that Snow Patrol song Chasing Cars was the most widely played song of the decade.

Decade’s most played

1. Madonna

2. The Beatles

3. Robbie Williams

4. Queen

5. Take That

6. Sugababes

7. Elton John

8. Elvis Presley

9. Abba

10. Coldplay — Agencies