BBC Radio 2 reveals Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell as the UK's biggest debut album in history

The chart has been compiled by The Official Charts Company in partnership with National Album Day, and lists the top 20 debut albums of all time in the UK. Meat Loaf's 1977 debut Bat Out Of Hell tops the chart, having sold over 3.5 million copies in the UK and spending over 500 weeks on the Official Albums Chart. Back in January, Bat Out Of Hell reached Number Three in the UK Albums Chart following the death of Meat Loaf, real name Marvin Lee Aday.

James Blunt's 2004 debut Back To Bedlam takes the second spot on the exclusive chart (to which he responded, "Are you sure? There must have been some kind of mistake"), followed by Leona Lewis' 2007 album Spirit, Lady Gaga's The Fame and Dido's No Angel. The chart also includes debut albums from Spice Girls, Keane, Alanis Morissette, Coldplay, Adele, Ed Sheeran, The Killers, Oasis, Scissor Sisters, Sam Smith and more.

Steve Wright will host a special Top 20 countdown for The Official All-time Debut Albums Top 20 chart on Radio 2 tomorrow (15 October) from 1-3pm to celebrate National Album Day.

Steve Wright, who will host the exclusive chart countdown on Radio 2 tomorrow, said of Meat Loaf, "Bat Out Of Hell reaching Number One as the UK’s biggest debut album of all time might be a surprise to some, but it is a truly brilliant debut album and one which reached a whole new audience following the sad passing of Meat Loaf earlier this year. You’re in for a treat with the full chart so do tune in for a fantastic nostalgia trip with some of the most brilliant songs you’ll ever hear."