Thornton Heath rapper Stormzy has made history after his debut record became the UK’s first grime album to reach number one.

The Croydon-born star clinched the top spot after notching up 69,000 combined sales of Gang Signs & Prayer in its first week on the shelves.

For much of the week the chart race was too close to call, as the record was pretty much neck-and-neck with Rag’N’Bone Man’s Human.

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Throughout the week, the former Harris Academy South Norwood pupil made several pleas with fans on Twitter to purchase his album.

Following the announcement, he wrote on Instagram: “You lot have gone so hard for me this week it's been mental this is all because of you I owe it to every single one of you look what happens when we come together.

“I encourage all of us to keep supporting home grown talent that you enjoy 🙏🏿 this is a dream come true. Look at what you've done my gs.

“Thank you to my team and all the musicians involved, too many of you to name, we done it. speechless, emotional and overwhelmed, thank you.”

Stormzy halved the price of the record in stores to further encourage fans to buy it.

The album was the most streamed ever for a first-week record that has reached top spot - surpassing Justin Bieber and Drake.