How Cheryl Fernandez-Versini Became The Most Successful Female British Singer In The UK

Cheryl is officially a record-breaker.

Our December cover star Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has made history as the first British female solo artist to have five number one singles.

Her latest single, I Don't Care, topped the Offical Singles Chart this weekend, knocking Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud off the top spot.

On hearing the news, Cheryl posted a snap from her X Factor dressing room on Instagram, with the caption: 'Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me!!! Today we made history. I can't tell you how grateful and lucky I feel to all of you...'

About her current single, I Don't Care, Cheryl tells Marie Claire in the December issue that it totally sums up her current attitude. 'It just felt fun, it felt anthemic,' she says.

'I didn't write it, but I related to it. It's literally about not giving a shit. When you reach that point when you just don't care anymore... everybody has those moments.'

The singer’s previous number ones include Crazy Stupid Love (2014), Call My Name (2012), Promise This (2010) and Fight For This Love (2009).

The record for most number one singles by a British female solo artist was previously held jointly by Geri Halliwell and Rita Ora. But, Mrs Fernandez-Versini still has a way to go to catch up with the likes of Madonna, Rihanna and Kylie Minogue, who have had 13, eight and seven UK number ones respectively.

Speaking about the new wave of pop stars rising through the ranks, Cheryl told us that she's worried about the shift in how female pop singers are behaving these days.

'I feel lately there is a lot of sexuality; it's almost getting to a weird degree for me. I'm not by any means prudish and, you know, women are sexy and should embrace that at appropriate times and in an elegant way,' she says.

'I'm not naming names and I'm not judging anybody - everyone does their own thing. I'm sure people have an opinion on what I do, but I know what I feel comfortable doing. I wanna keep my clothes on as much as possible. Sometimes you have to wear skimpy outfits to dance around in as a lot of things can be restrictive, but there's a limit, you know?'

Read the full interview with Cheryl in the December issue of Marie Claire. Out now.

Go behind the scenes on our Cheryl shoot with this cheeky little video.