Brian May 'astounded' as Queen top Fleetwood Mac and Oasis in epic new achievement

For over half a century, Queen have held a special place in British rock's heart.

And while over half of that time has been without Freddie Mercury and John Deacon, the band continue to have mass appeal across the UK.

Today a new PPL chart celebrating National Album Day (October 18) has found that Queen are the UK's most played rock act of the 21st century. You read that correctly. Not 20th, but 21st!

An announcement read: "Queen have amassed over 400 million seconds of radio and TV airplay, the equivalent of 12.5 years of continuous play this century... PPL, which licenses recorded music for use on UK radio and television, and in public spaces such as bars, restaurants and gyms, compiled the chart using extensive airplay reporting data from radio and TV broadcasters across the country."

Queen guitarist Sir Brian May said in a statement: "Astounding news! Bearing in mind that most of Queen's major works were done in the 20th century, it's amazing to top a 21st century list. Big thanks to all our fans."

Peter Leathem OBE, Chief Executive Officer, PPL said: "This chart underlines how rock music across the decades continues to thrive on UK airwaves. Congratulations to Queen on this great accolade in such a significant anniversary year for their first number one album. It's a testament to their expansive and much-loved music catalogue that they continue to mean so much to UK audiences to this very day."

Check out the full Top 10 ranking below.

The UK's Top 10 most played rock acts of the 21st century

1. Queen
2. David Bowie
3. U2
4. Oasis
5. Fleetwood Mac
6. Stereophonics
7. The Rolling Stones
8. The Police
9. The Killers
10. Kings of Leon