Steps just a heartbeat away from Number 1 album, but Ed Sheeran holds on

Plus, new entries from Imelda May, Texas, and Maximo Park.

While it’s more a triumphant comeback than a tragedy, reformed ‘90s pop icons Steps might be shedding a few Tears on the Dancefloor as Ed Sheeran manages to hold them off in the battle for Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart.

The group’s first album of all-new material in over 15 years made a valiant effort, an early leader and also securing the most downloaded album of the week in the UK, however Ed pushed ahead toward the end of the week, finishing 16,000 units ahead and pipped Steps on physical copies and streams.

MORE: Check out this week's Official Albums Chart Top 100

Irish singer-songwriter Imelda May debuts at 5, giving her a third Top 10 with Life Love Flesh Blood, while Texas, led by Sharleen Spiteri, score their eighth Top 10 – Jump On Board is new at 6.

Metalcore band While She Sleeps are new at 8 with You Are We, and alt-rockers Maximo Park are brand new at 11, with Risk To Exist.

MORE: The Official Top 40 albums of 2017 so far

Ray Davies' Americana goes in 15, while Steps' 2011 hits retrospective The Ultimate Collection returns to the Top 40, zooming 34 places to 17.

David Bowie scores two new entries thanks to Record Store Day – rare live performance Cracked Actor is in at 20, and remixes of Hunky Dory album tracks Bowpromo lands at 38.

Also new this week are: Barry Manilow's This Is My Town – Songs Of New York (26); country singer Brad Paisley's Love And War (33); Incubus, with 8 (35); and a re-entry from Shawn Mendes, as Illuminate bounds 53 slots to 39.