Mainstream pop rockers Athlete debut at number one in UK national album chart.

MAINSTREAM band Athlete, whose Christian faith was recently highlighted in a Guardian newspaper article, have seen their second album 'Tourist' debut at number one in the national album charts. The band's lead singer Joel Pott recently spoke to journalists about their hit single "Wires" featured on the album. The song was inspired by the birth of his daughter. "Literally a few hours after the birth Myla had a seizure and was rushed into intensive care. I was at home and got a call from Zoe and rushed into hospital. I don't think either of us had ever had an experience like that before, where you're just absolutely overwhelmed with joy at the birth of your first child and then a few hours later something traumatic like that happens."

In a recent article in the Guardian Paul Adlington, pastor of the Bear Church in Deptford at which some members of Athlete worship, told the newspaper he believed it was wrong to pressure Christian artists into nailing their religious colours to the mast. "Faith is quite a personal thing, it's not fair to make a big fuss of it. I see it like a family where people don't gossip about one another." It is inevitable that talented artists will emerge out of church groups owing to the emphasis on music, he added.