Madonna eclipsed The Beatles as the most played artist of the last decade, new figures show.

The Queen of Pop topped a chart of artists who enjoyed the most airplay and public performances of their material from 2000-2009.

Compiled by royalties body PPL, the countdown also featured Robbie Williams at number three, Queen at four and Take That at number five.

Other artists inside the top-10 included Sugababes, Elvis Presley and Coldplay.

PPL chairman Fran Nevrkla told news agency PA: "It is an accurate and democratic reflection of the most popular artists of the last decade."

The chart was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Bank Holiday Monday (April 5).

The top-10 was:

1. Madonna
2. The Beatles
3. Robbie Williams
4. Queen
5. Take That
6. Sugababes
7. Elton John
8. Elvis Presley
9. ABBA
10. Coldplay

(by Jason Gregory)