99 y/o British veteran becomes oldest artist to top UK charts with YNWA cover 👏

Captain Tom Moore, the British Army veteran who raised more than $55 million for Britain's National Health Service (NHS), has become the oldest artist to claim a UK number one single, topping the music charts on the week of his 100th birthday.

A version of You'll Never Walk Alone featuring Captain Moore singing with theatre star Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir was released last weekend to raise money for the NHS and quickly rose through the charts, knocking The Weeknd's hit Blinding Lights off its pedestal.

The single had been neck and neck with Blinding Lights until the Canadian star asked his fans on Twitter to support Captain Moore instead.

With chart sales of 82,000 units, You'll Never Walk Alone is now the fastest-selling single of the year.

"What wonderful news to receive today, a number one single and a record breaker too — my grandchildren can't believe I am a chart-topper," Captain Moore told BBC Radio 1's Scott Mills after the official tally was revealed on Friday night (local time).

The Gerry and The Pacemakers classic was chosen after Captain Moore captured the nation's hearts walking lengths in his back garden to raise money for Britain's NHS.

The war veteran — who has used a walking frame with wheels since breaking his hip — set himself the target of walking the 25 metres around his garden 100 times before his 100th birthday on April 30.

He reached that goal almost two weeks early but continued walking.