Harry Styles’ ‘Watermelon Sugar’ earns rare chart feat last claimed by Adele

Seal and Jay Sean are also among the handful of artists to have merited the statistic

Harry Styles has laid claim to a music chart accomplishment last reached by Adele eight years ago.

The former One Direction singer’s recent single ”Watermelon Sugar” reached No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated 15 August.

Styles is now one of only five British artists to have topped the US charts with a track that failed to reach No 1 in the UK.

The most recent Brit to hold the distinction prior to “Watermelon Sugar” was Charli XCX, who featured on Iggy Azalea’s 2014 pop hit “Fancy” – which only managed to ascend to No 5 in the UK.

However, the last time the same happened for a lead artist (not just featured) was back in 2012, with Adele’s “Set Fire To The Rain”.

“Set Fire To The Rain” became Adele’s third chart-topping single in the US, but peaked at eleventh in the UK charts.

Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep”, from the same album, also reached the top spot stateside, but rose only to No 2 here.

Other artists who can boast this unusual achievement include Jay Sean, who enjoyed a major success in the US with “Down” featuring Lil Wayne in 2009.

Harry Styles and Adele are two of just a handful of artists to have enjoyed this odd chart distinction (Getty Images)

Seal’s 1995 ballad “Kiss From A Rose” is another example, topping out at third place in the UK charts.