Simon Cowell led tributes last night as Susan Boyle made chart history by soaring straight to No 1 with her debut album.

I Dreamed A Dream shifted more than 410,000 copies — the best first week's sales for a debut album since records began.

The 48-year-old Britain's Got Talent finalist smashed efforts from JLS, Black Eyed Peas and Queen, whose latest albums were forced to settle for second, third and fourth spots respectively.

And her cover of The Rolling Stones classic Wild Horses entered the singles charts in ninth place.

Cowell, the pop mogul who masterminded her rise from obscurity, said: “I'm incredibly proud of Susan as well as being delighted for her. The success could not have happened to a lovelier person. She did it her way and made a dream come true.

“In Britain's Got Talent she opened her mouth and the world fell in love with her, which is why her album has been the fastest selling of any woman making her debut. She's amazing.”

Martin Talbot, of the Official Charts Company, said: “Susan Boyle's achievement is quite phenomenal. After all of the excitement surrounding her appearance on Britain's Got Talent everyone expected her to make a big impact when she released her first music — but to arrive with such a bang is exceptional.”

Ex-reality stars continue to figure strongly in the Official UK Charts Company album figures. Last week's No 1, Leona Lewis' Echo, was in fifth.

Michael Buble's Crazy Love record was confirmed as sixth while Lady Gaga's The Fame was seventh. Snow Patrol, Robbie Williams and Will Young completed the top ten.

In the singles charts, The Official BBC Children in Need Medley by Peter Kay's Animated All Stars beat another charity effort, You Are Not Alone by the X Factor finalists, to top spot.