The Beatles have achieved the top position on the charts with their single, “Now and Then,” marking the act with the lengthiest gap between their initial and latest number-one hits.

Six decades after “From Me to You” topped the charts, Sir Paul McCartney expressed his astonishment, stating, “It’s blown my socks off!”

The Official Charts Company confirms “Now and Then” as this century’s fastest-selling vinyl single.

The song’s inception dates back to 1978 when John Lennon penned its initial bars; it was eventually completed last year. Sir Paul described the achievement as “mind-boggling” and emotionally stirring.

The Beatles’ last chart-topper was “The Ballad of John and Yoko” in 1969. Surpassing Kate Bush’s 44-year record, their gap between chart-toppers is now the longest.

At ages 82 and 83, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr respectively become the oldest band to reach number one. Additionally, they hold the titles of the second and third oldest chart-topping artists, following Sir Captain Tom Moore, who achieved number one at 99.

Debuting at number 42 on the charts after its release on 2nd November, “Now and Then” ascended 41 spots, becoming the 18th number-one single for Sir Paul, Sir Ringo Starr, and the late John Lennon and George Harrison.

The track amassed 78,200 combined UK chart units through sales and streaming, marking the highest physical sales in nearly a decade with 38,000 units sold.

The Beatles hold the record for the British act with the most number-one singles in UK chart history, trailing only US singer Elvis Presley, who boasts 21 chart-toppers.

Their chart-topping single, “From Me to You,” coincided with Harold Macmillan’s tenure as the Conservative prime minister in 1963.

“All four Beatles feature on ‘Now and Then,’ marking the last credited to Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr. It was released as a double A-side single with ‘Love Me Do,’ their 1962 debut.

Lennon composed “Now and Then” post the Beatles’ disbandment in 1970, circulating as a bootleg for years. An apologetic love song, it addresses an old friend or lover, expressing the desire for their return.

Sir Paul longed to complete the song, which technological advancements eventually made possible.

Martin Talbot, head of the Official Charts Company, emphasised the Beatles’ enduring appeal and their breaking of numerous records with the return of John, Paul, George, and Ringo through their final single, solidifying their legendary status.