Taylor Swift holds U.K. No. 1 for third week with 'Patient Zero'

Taylor Swift's "Patient Zero" is No. 1 on the U.K. Official Singles Chart for a third consecutive week. The placing comes on the chart dated Oct. 17, as reported by Billboard. It extends a run that began with the song's release in late September.

"Patient Zero" appears on the Encore deluxe edition of Swift's album "The Life of a Showgirl". The edition adds new tracks "Cleveland!", "Pink Clouding" and "Babylon" alongside "Patient Zero". The single was released on Friday, Sept. 25.

Days after release, "Patient Zero", "Cleveland!" and "Pink Clouding" held positions 1, 2 and 3 respectively on the Official Chart: First Look, the early midweek read on sales and streams. That early sweep pointed to a strong opening week. It is her eighth U.K. No. 1 single.

Swift premiered the music video for "Patient Zero" on Sept. 27 at the 2026 MTV VMAs. At the same ceremony she collected the inaugural artist director prize. The show gave the campaign its first televised push.

The single is Swift's third U.K. No. 1 of 2026. Her two earlier chart-toppers this year were "Opalite" and "I Knew It, I Knew You" from Toy Story 5. She is the only artist to have claimed three U.K. No. 1 singles in 2026.

On Oct. 17 Swift gave a surprise live performance at the Academy Museum Gala. There she gave "The Fate of Ophelia" from "The Life of a Showgirl" its live debut. The appearance came as the chart week was closing.

Behind her, Jamie Miller's "Babydoll" rose one place to No. 2. That is a new peak. Sienna Spiro's "Great Expectation" fell two spots to No. 4, while Adéla's "Nicole Kidman" rose three places to No. 5.

Further down the top 40, P!nk's "Just Give Me a Reason" sits at No. 15, 13 years after its original release. Noah Kahan's "Willing and Able" rose three spots to No. 17. Season 25 earned his first U.K. top 40 placing with "Shotta's" at No. 38.

What makes this stand out is the spread. A long-running No. 1 sits above fast movers and returning records.

The Official Singles Chart is compiled by the Official Charts Company and covers the week of Oct. 16 to Oct. 22, 2026, according to the Official Charts Company. Rankings are based on audio and video streams, downloads, CDs and vinyl. The U.K. Top 40 is broadcast on BBC Radio 1.