A FORMER Hereford college student has seen a second album to reach number one in the charts.

Former Hereford College of Arts student Olly Alexander, who performs under the name Years & Years, saw Night Call become his album to reach the coveted top spot.

The album is the first to be released since the former three-piece became a solo project for frontman Olly Alexander, who enjoyed a breakout 2021 starring in Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin, which focussed on the HIV/AIDS crisis on the 1980s.

Some 75 per cent of the album’s total chart sales came from physical copies, according to the Official Charts Company.

Alexander, 31, said: “I’m just really, really proud. Everybody who got this album and streamed it – I can’t believe it, thank-you so, so, so much. We got number one, baby.”

Growing up in Coleford, in the Forest of Dean, Alexander went to Hereford to study performing arts before travelling to Tokyo after landing his big break in a Gaspar Noé film ‘Enter the Void’, filming alongside Alex Pettyfer and the Skins cast.

The band was formed in 2010 when Alexander became lead singer after he was overheard singing in a shower at a house party.

Hereford Times: Olly Alexander scored chart success with the new Years & Years album. Picture: Official Charts Company/PA Wire Olly Alexander scored chart success with the new Years & Years album. Picture: Official Charts Company/PA Wire

Success soon followed for the electronica-inspired group who went on to support the likes of Sam Smith and Clean Bandit as well as performing with Jools Holland.

Mikey Goldsworthy will still play live with Alexander while Emre Turkmen will focus on his solo work as a writer and producer.

Years & Years last reached number one in 2015 with Communion, while their 2018 album Palo Santo peaked at number three.

Leeds post-punk band Yard Act finish the week in second place with their debut album The Overload.

It becomes the fastest-selling debut on vinyl of any band this century, surpassing the first-week vinyl sales of It Won’t Always Be Like This by Irish rockers Inhaler in July 2021.

Following his death last week, three albums by Meat Loaf return to the top 40 including two in the top 10.

His 1977 debut Bat Out Of Hell lands at number three, marking a new peak for the record, while greatest hits compilation Hits Out Of Hell secures number five.

Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell is at number 24.

On the singles chart, We Don’t Talk About Bruno from Disney film Encanto holds on at number one, denying Peru by Fireboy DML and Ed Sheeran the top spot.