NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS singer Rick Astley has been inundated with messages of congratulations from the some of the world's biggest names in music after returning to the top of the UK album chart following a 30-year gap.

The singer's new album, 50, pipped new releases by Tom Odell and Paul McCartney to reach the top spot on Friday (June 17).

Pop stars including Elton John, Kylie Minogue, David Hasselhoff, Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow called Rick or sent him messages via social media.

On Twitter, Kylie wrote 'Congrats!' and Gary Barlow said 'So pleased to see Rick Astley back in the charts'.

The 50-year-old singer has been enjoying the limelight, performing on the National Lottery on Saturday night and watching British tennis ace Andy Murray win the final at Queen's on Sunday.

Speaking to the BBC, Rick said: "It's amazing, it's incredible. It's been a very, very, very long time."

He said Elton John, a star he has "always respected", had been texting and had called him to say 'just make sure you enjoy it.'

Astley was engaged in a battle with Tom Odell for the number one slot over the last week, the pair changing places on several occasions. He eventually outsold the Chichester-born singer by 3,700 copies.

According to the Official Chart Company, Astley sold more physical CDs, while Odell secured more digital sales and streams.

he last topped the chart in 1987, three years before Odell was born, with his debut album 'Never Gonna Give You Up'.

He was the fourth child of his Newton-le-Willows family, and was brought up by his father after his parents divorced.

It was when Astley, who left school at 16, became the lead vocalist of soul band FBI that he was noticed by record producer Pete Waterman, who persuaded him to move to London.

In 2008 Astley was voted 'Best Act Ever' by internet users at the MTV Europe Music Awards.