Chart-topping singer The Weeknd has urged his fans to download and stream Captain Tom Moore’s song, as their chart battle nears its end.
The Weeknd has held the number one position in the UK charts for eight consecutive weeks now, with his hit Blinding Lights.
However, on Thursday night, he encouraged his fans to get behind Captain Tom’s charity single – a cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone, on which he collaborated with Michael Ball – and get that to number one instead.
“everyone in the UK please support @captaintommoore / @mrmichaelball single so this incredible 99 yr old war veteran, walking for the British National Health Service @NHSuk & now raised $35 Million can have a No 1 for his 100th birthday in the UK!” he wrote. “We’re routing for you.”
The singer quickly added: “Nothing is more embarrassing than misspelling a word on Twitter... *rooting*”
Captain Tom wrote back: “My goodness, how gracious of you @theweeknd. [My grandson] Benji tells me you’re rather talented and very popular! What a kind gesture. Thank you!”
On Thursday, it was reported that The Weeknd looked likely to hold onto the top spot for a ninth week, although just a few thousand sales remained between him and the 99-year-old veteran.
Captain Tom first made headlines earlier this month, when he raised millions of pounds for charities helping the NHS by doing laps of his back garden.
The Weeknd’s statement is similar to one posted by Justin Bieber back in 2015, encouraging his fans to get the NHS Choir’s song A Bridge Over You to Christmas number one, rather than his own single Love Yourself.
“I’m hearing this UK Christmas race is close,” he said at the time. “But the @Choir_NHS single is for charity. So… for 1 week it’s ok not to be #1. Let’s do the right thing & help them win. It’s Christmas”.
Eventually, the NHS Choir claimed the top spot, while The Biebs’ Love Yourself and Sorry occupied the number two and three slots.
This week’s number one will be revealed on Friday night.