Dua Lipa named most played artist across UK TV and radio for second time

Dua Lipa has been named the most played artist across radio, TV and public places in the UK for a second time by music licensing company Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL).

The singer, 29, known for hits including Dance The Night and Levitating, has ousted Shape Of You singer Ed Sheeran from the top spot, ending his three-year run at number one.

Sheeran, 34, who recently shared details of an eighth studio album, now sits at number three with US pop star Taylor Swift the second most played artist of 2024.

Lipa said: “It’s a real honour to be named the most played artist in the UK for the second time.

“2024 was an incredible year and I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported my music on the radio, TV and in venues around the country. Thanks also to PPL for continuing to support artists and our music.”

Lipa, who has won several Brit Awards and three Grammys, headlined Glastonbury Festival last year shortly following the release of her third studio album Radical Optimism.

She is the youngest person to feature on this year’s Sunday Times 40 Under 40 Rich List, making her one of the wealthiest musicians in the UK.

Lipa has racked up seven years of airplay on UK radio and TV, with her music played an average of 400 times per day, according to PPL data.

Her 2018 hit single One Kiss with Calvin Harris remains her most played song of all time, averaging 55 plays per day across UK radio and TV.

She previously appeared at the top of PPL’s most played artist chart in 2020, the same year she released the album Future Nostalgia, which contains hits Don’t Start Now and Hallucinate.

Her 2024 single Houdini, which went to number two on the UK chart, features on PPL’s list of most played tracks of that year, coming in at number six.

Leading the charge at number one, however, is Noah Kahan’s Stick Season, which spent seven weeks at the top of the UK singles chart last year.

This is followed with Lose Control by US artist Teddy Swims at number two and Beautiful Things by Benson Boone at number three.

British singer Myles Smith, who was named Brits Rising Star ahead of this year’s Brit Awards, features at number five with his song Stargazing.

Peter Leathem, PPL chief executive, said: “Congratulations once again to Dua Lipa for leading PPL’s most played artist chart, and to Noah Kahan for securing the most played track of the year.

“British artists continue to perform well, making up 70% of the top 10 – proving they have staying power across the nation’s broadcasters, businesses and public spaces.

“It is also fantastic to see fresh UK talent such as Myles Smith make a big splash in the top five most played tracks, showing there is plenty of promise in UK music going forward.”

PPL licenses the use of recorded music on radio, TV and in public places across the UK, including shops, bars, restaurants, gyms, offices and warehouses, and receives extensive airplay reporting data from such broadcasters and public performance venues.

PPL most played artists 2024

1. Dua Lipa

2. Taylor Swift

3. Ed Sheeran

4. David Guetta

5. Coldplay

6. Calvin Harris

7. Ariana Grande

8. Sir Elton John

9. Becky Hill

10. Harry Styles

Published: 20/05/2025 by Radio NewsHub