Vote for the nation’s favourite Number 2 single!

The Official Charts Company have teamed up with BBC Radio 2 to find the nation’s favourite Number 2 single.

To celebrate 60 years of the Official Singles Chart, BBC Radio 2 have launched a nationwide poll to find the UK’s best loved track which never quite made it to the top of the chart!

Legendary DJ Tony Blackburn announced the poll this morning (Monday, November 19) on Ken Bruce’s show on Radio 2. From today, listeners will be able to vote for their all-time favourite Number 2 single via the Radio 2 website.

The results of the poll will form the basis of a special New Year’s Day Radio 2 show, presented by Tony Blackburn, who will count down an Official Top 40 of the nation’s favourite singles which never quite made it to the top of the Official Singles Chart. As a climax to the programme, the nation’s favourite Number 2 single will be bestowed with an honorary Number 1 by the Official Charts Company.

A panel consisting of industry experts including Radio 2 presenters Ken Bruce, Tony Blackburn and Janice Long, Official Charts Company managing director Martin Talbot and charts director Omar Maskatiya, Radio 1 presenter Annie Nightingale, BBC Radio 6 Music presenter Steve Lamacq, George Ergatoudis Head of Music, Radio 1 & 1Xtra and a number of other key industry figures whittled a list of 941 number two tracks down to 107 tracks. The list is made up of every number two record since 1952.

“We are delighted to be working with BBC Radio 2 to find the UK’s great ‘lost Number 1’,” said Martin Talbot. “The list of singles which almost-but-never-quite-made the Number 1 spot is almost as impressive as those which did. Certainly, the ‘Official Number 2’ singles include some absolute corkers - including Hound Dog, Strawberry Fields, Lola, Masterblaster, Oliver’s Army, Wonderwall, and many others. I certainly know my favourites, but am looking forward to seeing what the great British public verdict is.

“To mark the 60th anniversary of the Official Singles Chart we will be even be breaking new ground and bestowing the ultimate accolade on the nation’s top choice - and crowning it as an honorary Official Number 1. For the first time in history!”

The full list of nominees is as follows:

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s/2010s

Vote for your favourite Number 2 at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2.