James Blunt and Robbie Williams’ albums have gone five-times platinum, say the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

Blunt’s debut album Back to Bedlam passed the five million mark across Europe and continues to sell well.

Williams also gained a fifth platinum level for European sales for his latest album Intensive Care.

The Rolling Stones, Katie Melua, Zucchero and Radiohead were the other artists to win Platinum Europe Awards.

Back to Bedlam propelled Blunt to stardom and earned him two Brit awards this year - best pop act and best male solo artist.

The former soldier released the album in October 2004 and it has gone nine-times platinum in the UK alone, where it was the best selling album of 2005.

Intensive Care is Williams’ eighth studio album and was the biggest selling title in Europe last year, despite only being released in October.

It has sold in 19 countries, and mirrors the success of his 2004 Greatest Hits album which also passed the five million copy mark last month.

Widespread success

Radiohead’s critically acclaimed third album OK Computer has now sold more than three million copies in Europe.

The album won a Grammy for best alternative album after its 1997 release, and often tops best ever album opinion polls.

Katie Melua’s second album Piece By Piece equalled the European success of her debut Call Off The Search by selling more than two million copies.

The 21-year-old singer-songwriter, has enjoyed widespread success since being spotted as a student in a Brits School showcase.

Zucchero’s Zu & Co achieved its first million sales in Europe as a whole, even though it has gone four-times platinum in his native Italy.

The album features duets with Miles Davis, Sheryl Crow, Paul Young, Brian May, Sting and The Cranberries’ Delores O’Riordan.

The Rolling Stones album A Bigger Bang also sold its first one million copies in Europe.

The September 2005 release accompanies the world tour of the same name, and is the long awaited follow-up to 1997’s studio album Bridges to Babylon.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk