More than 28 years after his first album, Whenever You Need Somebody, debuted at No.1 and 23 years after he announced his 'retirement', Rick Astley tops the chart for the second time, dashing to pole position with 50, an album whose title proudly proclaims his age, and consists of a dozen new completely self-penned and self-produced songs.

In a fierce dogfight with Tom Odell who, at 25, is exactly half his age, Astley trailed initially with his rival's guest appearance ...