The news comes as the Official Charts Company report that the total number of digital single sales in the UK has now surpassed one billion.

The milestone was reached on Monday night (April 8) as the UK continues its penchant for digital downloads.

Adele's 'Somone Like You' meanwhile has been named as the most popular download in the country, followed by Maroon 5's 'Moves Like Jagger'.

Gotye's smash hit 'Somebody That I Used To Know' meanwhile is placed at No.3 on the list.

Official Charts Company Managing Director Martin Talbot commented: "The explosion in download sales over the past nine years means we are genuinely now living in the digital music age - with Adele as our queen!"

The Girls Aloud singer joined the judging panel on the TV talent show back in 2008 and she was noted for her camaraderie with Cowell.

Speaking to the Radio Times, the media mogul said that he and the X Factor crew were taken aback by Cole's beauty when she turned up for work. He said:

"I think my entire production stage - including a lot of gay people - were madly in love with Cheryl."

Cowell continued: "I mean literally, when she walked on set on the first day in the UK I thought that she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life."

Cole left the UK X Factor in 2011 and has often been rumoured to return to the show.

The first joint activity brings together Deutsche Grammophon, Universal Music's iconic classical label, and B&O PLAY, Bang & Olufsen's new brand that lets music aficionados enjoy outstanding acoustics in even more places. B&O PLAY has recently introduced a new generation of award-winning design products specially created for digital enjoyment and mobile lifestyles – with uncompromising dedication to premium sound.

Universal Music's next "Yellow Lounge London" event will take place today on April 8, 2013 at Fabric in Shoreditch, and B&O PLAY will be making a significant product introduction to all Yellow Lounge attendees. Founded in Berlin, Universal Music's Yellow Lounge movement has brought classical music to new audiences in new locations in a number of major urban centers.  Yellow Lounge London guests will be the first to try out a brand new B&O PLAY product, and compare for themselves how the performances sound both live and in a Deutsche Grammophon recording – played on the latest B&O PLAY equipment.Subsequent B&O PLAY launch events are planned around the world at outside venues. In the USA, an event will be held May 8in New York City to support the product introduction.

Bang & Olufsen CEO Tue Mantoni notes that the collaboration is a first for Bang & Olufsen. "We are extremely proud to join forces with Universal Music, and to make common cause for excellent sound with a global leader in recorded music. Universal Music works with some of the greatest artists and labels of all time, and they share our mission of bringing people musical experiences that are as close to the original as possible."

Both companies will introduce further aspects of the new collaboration later this year, including exclusive Bang & Olufsen Yellow Lounge events in four major European cities during 2013 – all in the cause of musical excellence.

"We're very pleased to be teaming up with Bang & Olufsen," says Max Hole , chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group International.  "Our artists are driven by excellence in creating their music while Bang & Olufsen stand for excellence in listening to and enjoying music; we're very excited about what we can achieve by working together."

Bang & Olufsen was founded in Struer, Denmark, in 1925 by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen , two innovative, young engineers devoted to high quality audio reproduction. Since then, the brand has become an icon of performance and design excellence through its long-standing craftsmanship tradition and the strongest possible commitment to high-tech research and development.

Still at the forefront of domestic technology, Bang & Olufsen has extended its comprehensive experience with integrated audio and video solutions for the home to other areas such as the hospitality and automotive industries in recent years. Consequently, its current product range epitomizes seamless media experiences in the home as well as in the car and on the move. For more information on Bang & Olufsen, please visit www.bang-olufsen.com.

Images are available free of charge from the Bang & Olufsen media centre: http://mediacenter.bang-olufsen.dk. If you are a first-time visitor, please follow the instructions and register as a new user.

Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the global music leader, with wholly owned operations in 60 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's premier music publishing operations worldwide.

Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol Records, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, I.R.S., Island Records, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, Manhattan, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Republic Records, Universal Music Latino, Verve Music Group and Virgin Records, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's catalogue is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes Global Digital Business, its new media and technologies division and Bravado, its merchandising company.

Universal Music Group is a fully owned subsidiary of Vivendi.

Yellow Lounge London – learn more at http://yellowlounge.co.uk/

In making the announcement, Lucian Grainge , Chairman and CEO of UMG, said, "In just five years, Roc Nation has established itself as one of the most successful brands in music with a reputation for developing some of today¹s most influential and popular talent.  Not only does this agreement provide a dynamic platform for Roc Nation's exciting emerging artists, it extends our relationship with the extraordinary Rihanna and represents a homecoming for JAY Z—a brilliant artist and entrepreneur, who has been a creative cornerstone of our company.  All of us at UMG are thrilled that JAY and Roc Nation chose UMG as their partners, knowing we will support their artists with a level of resources, expertise and passion that is simply unmatched in the industry."

Shawn "JAY Z" Carter said, "We are looking forward to working with Lucian and the incredible team he's assembled at Universal.  We would like to applaud Lucian for collaborating with us to strike a new age deal.  This agreement presents a unique opportunity for Roc Nation's artists—being able to continue to operate as an independent label with the strength, power and reach of the best major.  I look forward to a long and prosperous collaboration with UMG.  It feels good to be home."

ABOUT ROC NATION

Founded in 2008, Roc Nation is a full-service entertainment company, inclusive of artist, songwriter, producer and engineer management; music publishing; touring & merchandising; film & television; new business ventures; and a music label. It is home to a diverse roster comprised of critically acclaimed recording artists, writers and producers including Rihanna, Shakira, J Cole,Rita Ora , Calvin Harris, NO ID, Timbaland, Solange, M.I.A., Santigold, deadmau5, Wale, etc. Roc Nation has partnerships with award winning production team Stargate in Star Roc as well as global management company, Three Six Zero.

ABOUT UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP

Universal Music Group is the global music leader, with wholly owned operations in 60 territories. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's premier music publishing operations worldwide.  Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol Records, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, I.R.S., Island Records, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, Manhattan, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Republic Records, Universal Music Latino, Verve Music Group and Virgin Records, as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings.  UMG's catalogue is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes Global Digital Business, its new media and technologies division and Bravado, its merchandising company.

Universal Music Group is a fully owned subsidiary of Vivendi.

GO BEHIND THE SCENES ON BENGA’S CHAPTER II ARTWORK SHOOT

The singer was on stage in New York in 2009 when the embarrassing incident happened as The Script warmed up for the legendary Beatle.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, the Voice UK coach revealed that he was leading the band through individual solos when he accidentally played a drum beat on his keyboard instead of a piano sound. The Irishman said:

"We performed at Shea Stadium in New York in 2009, supporting Sir Paul McCartney. I was introducing each band member as they played a solo, and when it came to my turn, I was supposed to play a piano riff on the keyboard but I hit the wrong button and it came out as drums."

O'Donoghue added: "It sounded rubbish. In front of 50,000 people and a Beatle! That was bad."

There has been much speculation surrounding the state of the panel since the end of last year's show which featured Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Tulisa and Louis Walsh.

Rumours that Sharon Osbourne and Robbie Williams names have featured in the possible list of big names, but O'Leary says he is being kept in the dark.

In an interview with ITV he admitted: "No one has been confirmed."

The star also spoke about his burgeoning friendship with Barlow.

He said: "I get a few texts from Gary from time to time [and] we see each other quite a lot and he's the one I go out for dinner with and have fun with."

Olly Murs recently announced his departure from his hosting duties on The Xtra Factor. O'Leary says the star will be missed, adding: "Well I will miss Olly because he's like a little brother to me, but I'm so glad for him, because he loves doing this and the only reason he wouldn't do this is because he's so busy."

Reports have suggested last year's contestant Rylan Clark will replace Murs on the show, alongside Caroline Flack.

O'Leary added: "I think Rylan would be good but the most important thing is that Caroline is happy."

The entertainment retailer went into administration earlier this year after failing to pay off debts, with some stores closing.

However, MusicWeek reports that 132 stores are being kept on after the restructuring specialists took over the ailing company - meaning that around 2,500 jobs are safe.

Hilco CEO Paul McGowan said: "We have spent a number of weeks negotiating revised terms with landlords and the key suppliers to the business, all of whom have been supportive of our plans to maintain an entertainment retailer on the High Street.

"We hope to replicate some of the success we have had in the Canadian market with the HMV Canada business which we acquired almost two years ago and which is now trading strongly. The structural differences in the markets and the higher level of competition in the UK will prove additional challenges for the UK business but we believe it has a successful future ahead of it."

Nine FOPP shops have also been saved as part of the deal.

The TV duo's Saturday Night Takeaway is set to go head-to-head with the return of The Voice UK tonight (March 30) at 7pm.

Speaking to The Sun, Ant McPartlin admitted that he thinks their series has more entertaining qualities than the TV talent show. He said:

"I think it's an easy choice. With Takeaway you know you're going to have a good laugh. But The Voice for me lacks that sense of humour. I think it always has done."

Declan Donnelly added: "I think it's a shame that the audience have been made to choose between the two. With both at 7pm you're forced to watch one and record the other. It's a shame you can't watch one and then the other when they go out. Then you'd have two great shows on a Saturday night."

Ant & Dec meanwhile are currently battling it out for Sunday's (March 31) UK No.1 single as their 1994 PJ & Duncan track 'Let's Get Ready To Rhumble' enjoys a new surge of popularity.