Steps have topped the UK Albums Chart with their ‘Platinum Collection’ greatest hits release. 

The fab five debuted atop the countdown having shifted the most physical units and digital downloads, following a three-way battle with Madonna and Aitch. 

In doing so, they become the first British mixed-gender group to have a No. 1 album across four decades, following ‘Steptacular’ (1999), ‘Gold: Greatest Hits’ (2001) and ‘The Ultimate Collection’ (2011). 

Elsewhere in the charts, Mancunian rapper Aitch comes in second, having secured the most streams this week, while Queen of Pop Madonna’s ‘Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones’ comes in at three. 

Speaking in an exclusive cover feature in the September 2022 issue of Retro Pop, Steps look back on their pop legacy and reveal the significance of their latest milestone.

Ian ‘H’ Watkins says: “When we released our first single, everybody laughed at us. All of the cool cats laughed at us. The record company big-wigs wanted us to go away and then with every single they laughed louder, they laughed harder.

“And then 25 years later, none of those cool cats are around, all those music execs have probably been ditched, and we’re still here.”

And when it comes to the next chapter in Steps’ legacy, Claire maintains the band is living in the moment with their ongoing summer tour – but insists there’s more to come. 

“I think we’ve come to realise since we got back together in 2011 that it is good for us to have little gaps here and there,” she says. “It also reminds people of the whole nostalgia of Steps as well, which is a massive part of what we are. So, we don’t want to keep ramming ourselves down people’s throats. 

“Once we’re done with all the summer shows to end this little chapter, we’ll start thinking about the next one…”

Read the full interview in the September 2022 edition of Retro Pop, out now. Order yours or subscribe via our Online Store or use our Store Finder to locate your nearest stockist.