Harry Styles lands Number 1 with new single while former bandmate Louis Tomlinson tops the album charts in a double whammy for One Direction fans - 15 years after the boyband's first hit.

Editor Stephen Hill 30th January 2026

It's a significant moment for One Direction fans as both Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson have achieved remarkable success on the UK charts, 15 years after the release of the band's iconic first single, "What Makes You Beautiful." 

Harry Styles secured the top spot on the UK Singles Chart with his new track "Aperture," which is part of his upcoming fourth solo album, "Kiss All The Time, Disco, Occasionally." This marks Harry's third UK number one, a testament to his enduring appeal as a solo artist. 

 On the other hand, Louis Tomlinson's "How Did I Get Here?" has debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, joining the ranks of his previous successful albums.   Additionally, it's worth noting that Harry's hit single "As It Was" made a comeback, re-entering the Top 40 at number 28 for the first time since 2024, highlighting its lasting popularity. 

To celebrate the occasion, Harry proudly showcased his award, while fans eagerly await the release of his album on March 6.  Martin Talbot, CEO of Official Charts, reflected on the significance of this achievement, stating, “It’s precisely 15 years this year since One Direction topped the Official Singles Chart for the first time with ‘What Makes You Beautiful.’ 

After Robbie Williams demonstrated the staying power of pop stars transitioning to solo careers, it’s fantastic to see Harry and Louis topping the charts again, reminding us of the timeless appeal of arguably the world's favorite 21st-century boy band.”  

In a different vein, the excitement surrounding Harry's chart success has been somewhat overshadowed by Zayn Malik's recent comments regarding the high ticket prices for Harry's upcoming global residency, "Together, Together." Following criticism aimed at Harry for perceived greed related to ticket pricing—where some tickets for his London leg soar up to £725 ($1,000)—Zayn jokingly referenced the costs during his own Las Vegas residency, saying, “Hopefully, the ticket prices weren't too high… just saying.”  Harry's ticket prices have ignited a wave of backlash from a tiny minority fans, who argue that such costs make attending his concerts inaccessible for many young listeners. 

A small number of fans took to social media to express their frustrations, criticizing the pre-sale experience and the disconnect they feel between Harry's current pricing strategy and the more affordable concerts of the past.  This situation underscores the ongoing debate within the music industry regarding ticket pricing and accessibility for fans, especially as artists navigate the challenges of post-pandemic concert economics.