The previous UK top-40 wait record was 19 weeks before “Rein Me In” reached number one.
That earlier record was held by Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.” “Rein Me In,” performed by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean, ultimately reached number one after spending 35 consecutive weeks in the UK top 40, surpassing Sheeran’s mark.
The distinction matters because this question concerns the previous record, not the new record set by “Rein Me In.” The song’s long climb began after its June 2025 release and culminated in a number-one position in February 2026. Another common mistake is confusing 19 weeks with 35 weeks: 19 is the former benchmark, while 35 describes the newer achievement. “Rein Me In” was also notable as Fender’s first UK number-one single and Dean’s second.