Robbie Williams is on course to top the UK singles chart for the first time in eight years following his performance on The X Factor.

Candy, his first single on Island since a switch from EMI, had sold more than 70,000 copies this week by the end of business on Tuesday, according to the Official Charts Company, giving it a 69% sales lead over the rest of the market.

Williams last led the singles countdown in October 2004 with Radio, ...