RICK Astley is celebrating this evening after beating Tom Odell to secure a number one album - his first in almost 30 years.

The Never Gonna Give You Up singer, who grew up in Newton, has done an Adele and named his seventh album, 50, after his age.

Rick neck-and-neck with Tom Odell in the race for this Friday's album chart with 50 going up against Tom's second record, Wrong Crowd.

But this evening, Friday, it was confirmed that Rick had edged it by 3,700 combined chart sales.

50 is Rick's highest charting record since his 1987 debut, Whenever You Need Somebody.

The singer, who has sold 40 million records, told OfficialCharts.com: "It's amazing, it's incredible. 

"It has been a very very very long time since this happened before. I'm ecstatic, I couldn't be happier."

Speaking earlier in the week Rick said the making and launch of his new album had been one of the most rewarding experiences of his career and he has loved being back on stage.

Rick, a former St Peter’s School pupil, has also announced a 2017 tour. Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on March 31 and Liverpool Empire on April 1.