Madonna named most played artist

Madonna has overtaken the Beatles as Britain's most played musician of the last decade, beating the long-standing front-runners into second place.

Madonna has overtaken the Beatles as Britain's most played musician of the last decade, beating the long-standing front-runners into second place, a study published Monday found.

Between now and the year 2000, no other musician or band has been heard more often on radio and television or in pubs, clubs and shops, the study by music licensing body PPL found.

Madonna, 51, is also the only woman among the top five on the list.

Robbie Williams came in third, two places above his former band Take That. Queen came in at number four and the sixth spot went to the Sugababes, followed by Elton John, Elvis Presley, Abba and Coldplay. The Rolling Stones were listed at number 19.