Crazy Frog ring tone hits top of charts

LONDON - The Crazy Frog mobile phone ring tone has shot straight to the top of the British singles chart - the first time a ring tone has achieved such a feat.

The Official UK Charts Company said Crazy Frog's "Axel F", which went on sale as a CD last week, kept Coldplay's new release "Speed Of Sound" into second place.

For all its popularity, the Crazy Frog has also aroused loathing.

Earlier this year the UK's Advertising Standards Authority received complaints from viewers who not only objected to the frog's visible genitalia but also the frequency of the television spots.

Television adverts that plug the tune feature an animated frog wearing a broad smile singing the distractingly catchy "ding ding dididing...".

At number three in the charts was American hip-hop artist Akon's "Lonely" down from second place while at number four was "1 Thing" a new release from Amerie.

Cartoon band Gorillaz slipped one place to five with "Feel Good Inc", just ahead of last week's number one from Oasis.

The one-time bad boys of Britpop enjoyed only one week in the top slot with "Lyla", which was their seventh number one single.

At seven was America's Black Eyed Peas and their "Don't Phunk With My Heart" and at eight was Gwen Stefani's new entry "Holla Back Girl".

At nine was another new entry, Audio Bullys featuring Nancy Sinatra with "Shot You Down". Rounding off the top 10 was charity chart hit "(Is This The Way To) Amarillo" from Tony Christie and Peter Kay.

- REUTERS