5:48am UK, Monday February 23, 2004

Sir Cliff Richard has been crowned as the UK's Ultimate pop star.

He came out ahead of The Beatles and Elvis Presley for selling more singles in the UK than any other artist in the past 50 years.

180 Cliff Richard headshot

Sir Cliff Richard

Madonna was crowned the top female artist in Sunday night's Channel 4 show, The Ultimate Pop Star.

At number four in the list, the Material Girl was the only female in the top ten.

She was followed by Kylie Minogue at number 13 and The Spice Girls at 15.

Despite his phenomenal success, Robbie Williams only came in at number 37 on the list.

The Beatles came second, Elvis Presley third, Elton John fifth, and Michael Jackson sixth.

The Ultimate Pop Stars show was presented by Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse and featured interviews with Rod Stewart, Sir Cliff Richard, Duran Duran and Westlife.

The final 50 in order are:

1.Cliff Richard (20,969,006 singles sold)

2.The Beatles (20,799,632)

3.Elvis Presley (19,293,118)

4.Madonna (14,562,856)

5.Elton John (13,475,063)

6.Michael Jackson (11,310,958)

7.Queen (10,334,713)

8.ABBA (10,004,039)

9.Paul McCartney (9,781,603)

10.David Bowie (9,392,410)

11.Rod Stewart (9,046,492)

12.Rolling Stones (8,348,470)

13.Kylie Minogue (7,994,130)

14.Stevie Wonder (7,614,227)

15.Spice Girls (7,507,213)

16.Shakin Stevens (7,108,330)

17.Whitney Houston (6,993,105)

18.Bee Gees (6,943,851)

19.George Michael (6,819,419)

20.Status Quo (6,727,822)

21.Boney M (6,587,018)

22.Slade (6,520,171)

23.Olivia Newton John (6,493,006)

24.Blondie (6,456,881)

25.Boyzone (6,435,711)

26.Oasis (6,225,785)

27.UB40 (5,997,222)

28.Tom Jones (5,892,220)

29.Celine Dion (5,683,264)

30.The Police (5,617,175)

31.Madness (5,564,459)

32.Diana Ross (5,326,780)

33.Wham! (5,298,431)

34.Adam Ant (5,296,965)

35.The Jam (5,094,055)

36.Frankie Goes To Hollywood (5,008,067)

37.Robbie Williams (4,973,227)

38.Pet Shop Boys (4,913,655)

39.Phil Collins (4,889,059)

40.Wet Wet Wet (4,877,328)

41. Duran Duran (4,846,531)

42.The Everly Brothers (4,827,957)

43.The Shadows (4,793,537)

44.Westlife (4,726,116)

45.Gary Glitter (4,717,834)

46.Engelbert Humperdinck (4,710,328)

47.U2 (4,663,427)

48.Bryan Adams (4,614,135)

49.Frank Sinatra (4,597,630)

50.The Hollies (4,597,450)