Jackson retains his chart crown

Michael Jackson now has 9 albums in the Top 20

Michael Jackson has held on to the top of the UK album chart for the third straight week, according to the Official Charts Company.

The Essential, one of his greatest hits albums, is at number one for the second week. Number Ones was at the top directly after the singer's death.

Lungs by Florence and the Machine claimed the number two slot, and is the only non-Jackson album in the top five.

Florence Welch, 22, won this year's prestigious Critics' Choice Brit Award.

TOP FIVE UK SINGLES

1. Evacuate the Dancefloor - Cascada

2. Bulletproof - La Roux

3. Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson

4. Paparazzi - Lady GaGa

5. When Love Takes Over - David Guetta ft Kelly Rowland

Source: Official Charts Company

The singer-songwriter, who also came third in the BBC's Sound of 2009 poll, reached number 12 with her single Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) earlier this month.

In the past week, Jackson releases have accounted for almost 600,000 sales, which brings the total number of Jackson singles and albums sold since his death to around 1.5 million.

His remaining albums in the top five are Off The Wall, Thriller and The Motown Years.

The top 40 singles chart contains 10 Jackson tracks, plus the Jackson 5 hit Who's Lovin' You, which was performed by 12-year-old Welsh singer Shaheen Jafargholi at the star's memorial concert.

New entries

In the singles chart, Euro-dance act Cascada held the number one slot with their eighth hit single Evacuate the Dancefloor. Their new album, which shares the same title, entered the chart at eight.

La Roux's Bulletproof is this week's number two, and Jackson's Man in the Mirror dropped one place to number three.

The highest new entry in the singles chart was Diamond Rings by Chipmunk featuring Emeli Sande at number six.