There is only one direction for Zayn Malik’s first solo single – straight to the top of the chart.

Pillowtalk is Zayn’s first solo release since he quit the boy band last March, and comes ahead of his debut album Mind Of Mine.

According to data from the Official Charts Company, he is currently a comfortable 23,000 combined sales ahead of his closest competitor – Jonas Blue’s remix of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car.

Snapping at their heels is Rihanna, whose track Work from new album Anti has leapt from 13 to three after its surprise release last Wednesday.

Rihanna and DrakeRihanna and Drake (Matt Sayles/AP)

 

But despite his collaboration with Rihanna taking him into the top five, Drake’s own new single Summer Sixteen has debuted further down at 31.

Canadian heartthrobs Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber take fourth and fifth place with Stitches and Love Yourself respectively.

In the album chart, Sia has stepped into the limelight with This Is Acting – a collection of songs penned by the Australian singer/songwriter that were rejected by pop star clients including Adele, Rihanna and Beyonce.

She has a lead of 4,000 over retrospective album Best Of Bowie, which has climbed from third to second.

David Bowie in the music video for BlackstarDavid Bowie in the music video for Blackstar (YouTube)

 

Charlie Puth debuts at number three with Nine Track Mind, while Rihanna’s Anti is just 210 sales behind in fourth place, despite only being available on Jay Z’s streaming service Tidal.

Rounding off the top five is Bowie’s final album, Blackstar.