Chart topper for Tulisa with debut single

X Factor Judge Tulisa’s debut single – Young – has topped the Official Singles Chart.

The highest new entry of the week is also the second fastest selling single of 2012. DJ Fresh & Rita Ora still hold the overall record this year with the 128,000 February sales of Hot Right Now.
Tulisa’s hit track sold nearly 122,000 copies in its first week of release, and although not the fastest single overall it is the fastest selling debut release of 2012 so far.

“It was meant for someone else, I’m not going to say who it was meant for, who they pictured it for, but I nicked it!” Tulisa told Radio 2, adding, “It was one of those ones I heard in the studio, and I was like, ‘I have to have this song’… “It wasn’t even finished and I was like, I’m having that song, give it to me!”

The judge and N-Dubz performer has also been given an ‘Official Number One’ award as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Official Singles Chart. The award scheme has been devised by the Official Charts Company and BBC Radio 1 to mark six decades of the pop charts.

“Congratulations to Tulisa on scoring a Number 1 with Young – especially given that she has also racked up the fastest selling debut single of the year so far… It’s a fantastic start to her solo career and a deserving recipient of the Official Number 1 Award!” said Official Charts Company Managing Director, Martin Talbot.

Speaking to Sam Walker and Lorna Bancroft on Real Radio North West’s Feel Good Breakfast last week, Tulisa revealed for the first time how she convinced Simon Cowell to take her on as Cheryl Coles replacement on talent show The X Factor.

Sam asked; “Didn’t you fly out to LA and go to his swanky house?” She said; “I did; I was really cheeky. I got him a t-shirt – made sure it was a white V neck – and I printed a picture of his face on the front and [it] said ‘The Male Boss’ underneath. And I said ‘as the female boss only I can Knight you with this title. So here you go, got you a little present.’ Thought I’d be a little cheeky to get in there!” Sam said; “That’s amazing, he loved it I guess?” Tulisa concluded; “It worked, he gave me the job on the spot so happy days!”