Ex-stripper Chico tops UK pop charts

LONDON, Mar 6 (Reuters) Former stripper Chico has gone straight to the top of the UK pop charts with his debut single ''It's Chico Time'', the Official UK Charts Company said.

Chico Slimani, a one-time exotic dancer who spent his childhood in Morocco, recorded the number after appearing on ITV's X Factor talent show.

His success follows in the wake of X Factor winner Shayne Ward, who topped the charts for four weeks in December and January with ''That's My Goal''.

All girl band the Pussycat Dolls were a new entry at number two with ''Beep'', featuring Black-Eyed Peas producer Will.I.Am.

Californian band Orson were also new in at number five with ''No Tomorrow'', while London band The Feeling were another new entry at seven with ''Sewn''.

Colombian singer Shakira scored the week's final top ten debut with ''Don't Bother''.

Soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae slipped one place to three with ''Put Your Records On'', while Madonna's ''Sorry'' fell from number one to four.

''Thunder In My Heart Again'', a remix by DJ Meck of Leo Sayer's 1977 hit, fell three to number six, with ''Nasty Girl'' from Notorious BIG, Diddy and Nelly sliding from five to eighth place.

American teenage R&B prodigy Chris Brown dropped three places to round out the top ten with ''Run It''.

REUTERS VJ RAI0512