text: Quarter of a century after his last number one, Paul Simon is back at the top of the charts. The 73-year-old - who rose to fame as part of Simon & Garfunkel - has forged ahead of more youthful musicians to reach number one in the UK album chart with The Ultimate Collection. His album outsold those by the likes of Ed Sheeran, James Bay and Sam Smith. Number one: Paul Simon topped the UK albums chart for the first time in 25 years. His latest release, The Ultimate Collection, beat albums from more youthful musicians such as Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith . Simon's recent tour with Sting (left) is believed to have been the catalyst in helping to propel him to the top of the charts. It is the first time he has reached the top of the album chart since The Rhythm of the Saints in 1990 . The greatest hits record includes 19 tracks from Simon’s 50-year career, including Mrs Robinson and The Only Living Boy in New York, from his days recording and performing as Simon & Garfunkel with Art Garfunkel, prior to their break up in the 1970s, and some of his solo hits such as 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. It marks a return to popularity for the Grammy Award-winning singer, 73, as the first time he has reached the top of the album chart since The Rhythm of the Saints in 1990. Simon is currently on his On Stage Together world tour with Sting. It is thought the success of the pair’s live shows, which have been met with rave reviews, is what propelled the album to number one. Simon & Garfunkel broke up spectacularly, and very publicly, in 1970, soon after the release of their album Bridge Over Troubled Water. Early success: The 73-year-old rose to fame as one half of Simon and Garfunkel. He and Art Garfunkel (left) broke up in 1970 soon after the release of their album Bridge Over Troubled Water .
target: Grammy Award-winning artist tops UK album chart for first time in 25 years .
  Paul Simon, 73, outsold more youthful musicians such as Ed Sheeran .
  His album The Ultimate Collection includes 19 tracks from a 50-year-career .
  Simon's recent tour with Sting is thought to have propelled him to top spot .