Fans Send Whitney Song Sales Soaring

Whitney Houston looks set to storm the UK charts this weekend as sales of her songs rocket following her untimely death aged 48.

Early figures show the late singer could have as many as seven singles in the top 40.

The rush to buy her songs means 27 of her singles have re-entered the top 200, according to the Official Charts Company.

Her cover of Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You is currently on target to reach number ten.

The song, from Houston's film The Bodyguard, spent ten weeks at number one when it was released ten years ago.

It went on to become the biggest-selling single of 1992.

If current sales continue, Houston's 1987 single I Wanna Dance With Somebody will chart at number 13.

One Moment In Time, My Love Is Your Love, I Have Nothing, Saving All My Love For You and How Will I Know? are all in line for the top 40.

Houston's body was found at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday.

Her funeral will take place on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey, at the church where she first sang as a child.

Houston's album sales have also rocketed since her death, with Whitney: The Greatest Hits set for number six on the Official Albums Chart.

Official Charts Company managing director Martin Talbot said: "The tragic death of Whitney Houston came as a shock to her friends, colleagues and music fans across the world.

"Again, the British public is demonstrating its love of Whitney, just as it did for Amy Winehouse last year and Michael Jackson in 2009 - and the Official Charts will reflect that this weekend and, no doubt, in the coming weeks."