The most popular British band of the 21st century revealed

The London pop group, which is made up of Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion, were aired 40,000 more times across UK radio and TV than Queen.

The band's top track was the 2008 smash hit Viva La Vida which was followed closely by other songs like Paradise, Clocks, Something Just Like This and Adventure Of A Lifetime.

In second and third place were Queen and boyband Take That. Little Mix followed at number four, and The Beatles came in at number five.

PPL’s chief executive Peter Leathem said: “This country has produced some of the most iconic and successful bands of all time, so documenting them is a perfect way to mark this year’s National Album Day.

“Including groups from across the last 60 years, this list is a reminder of the strength and depth of British music through the decades. Coldplay are fitting owners of the number one spot – few artists can claim to have had such a presence on UK radio and TV since 2000.”

See the most-played British bands of the 21st century

The list of the most played British bands of the 21st Century is as follows:

1. Coldplay

2. Queen

3. Take That

4. Little Mix

5. The Beatles

6. Oasis

7. The Bee Gees

8. The Stereophonics

9. The Eurythmics

10. The Rolling Stones

Coldplay was named the most-played British band of the 21st century (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

11. Clean Bandit

12. Duran Duran

13. Sugababes

14. The Police

15. Simply Red

16. Snow Patrol

17. Electric Light Orchestra

18. Keane

19. Wham!

20. Texas

The ranking looks at the number of PPL licences issued since the year 2000. These licenses allow for the use of recorded music on radio, TV and in public places such as shops, bars, restaurants, gyms, offices and warehouses in the UK.