As predicted, Cheryl Cole has scored the fastest selling song of the year with her debut solo single 'Fight For This Love'.

This week's number one has shifted more than 290,000 copies in the first seven days of sales, official charts company figures show.

The 26-year-old Girls Aloud star was buoyed by her performance of the song on X Factor on October 18 which attracted over 12.7million viewers.

Cole said: "I'm just getting over the fact I have recorded my solo record and now it's number one.

"I can't take this all in. It's hard for me to put into words how I feel. I have this permanent smile on my face."

The singer knocked last year's X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's 'Bad Boys' off the top singles spot, although Burke's debut album 'Overcome' is number one this week.

New entries of note in the album chart are Seasick Steve at number four with 'Man From Another Time', Spandau Ballet's 'Once More' at seven and Mr Hudson's 'Straight No Chaser' down at 25.

(by Scott Colothan)