Dylan's back on top after long gap

Bob Dylan leapt straight to the top of the album chart almost 40 years after his last number one record, the Official Charts Company said.

Together Through Life comes 38 years and five months after he last claimed the top spot, meaning the American singer-songwriter now holds the record for the longest gap between solo number one albums.

His last chart topper was New Morning which was released in October 1970, reaching number one on November 28.

Together Through Life is Dylan's seventh UK number one, his 33rd studio album and his 53rd album, including compilations and soundtracks.

He first reached number one with The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan released in 1964.

The previous record for the longest gap between number on albums was held by Welsh crooner Tom Jones.

His 1999 comeback, Reload, topped the UK charts in October of that year, more than 31 years after Delilah reached the top in August 1968.

Dylan's critically acclaimed UK tour ended in Edinburgh.

HMV's Gennaro Castaldo said: "Dylan is arguably our greatest cultural icon, and his words and music remain as relevant and as powerful today as they did five decades ago.

"His albums always sell consistently well, but with demand for his catalogue of recordings up significantly in recent months, it's evident that Dylan is going through one of his zeitgeist moments, as a new generation of fans join his more established followers in appreciating his musical legacy."