Elton John has scored the 10^th UK number one album of his career, 52 years after his first.

The veteran performer has gone to the top of the chart with Who Believes in Angels? – his critically acclaimed collaboration with American country star Brandi Carlile.

Sir Elton told BBC News:

“It seems quite extraordinary that my career has gone on so long. It always feels good to top a chart, no matter where it is. And with this album, I’m especially thrilled because I think it’s the finest album I’ve done for a long time.”

The 78-year-old artist has struggled with bad health in recent years, including undergoing a hip replacement, and shared that the recording process for the latest album was sometimes hard-going. He told the BBC:

“The challenge really was at my feet. I was very nervous [because] I wanted the album to stand a certain way, but you can’t always guarantee it will. I think my nerves and my insecurities and my doubt led to a few bad behaviour moments, which was just about frustrations within myself.”

Sir Elton also recently shared the extent of his visual impairment after the album was delayed due to his losing sight in his right eye after catching an infection. He said he could no longer see his sons playing sport. He told The Times of London newspaper:

“I can’t see TV, I can’t read. I can’t see my boys playing rugby and soccer, and it has been a very stressful time because I’m used to soaking it all up. It’s distressing. You get emotional, but you have to get used to it because I’m lucky to have the life I have. I still have my wonderful family, and I can still see something out of here [his left eye]. So you say to yourself, just get on with it.”

The album was recorded in just over a fortnight, and has been received by a critics as “a career high” for Sir Elton, who has sold over 300million records.