First number one singer dies at 82

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The US star, who also had a role in movie classic The Godfather, died at his home in Philadelphia.

Martino's song, Here In My Heart, claimed the number one position when the New Musical Express introduced its chart in November 1952, and it remained there for nine weeks.

He also scored hits with Spanish Eyes and The Man From Laramie, and recorded tracks such as Can't Help Falling In Love and the Italian ballad Volare during his 50-year musical career.

Italian-American Martino, who was born Alfred Cini, also had an acting career and played Johnny Fontane in The Godfather and its sequel - a role said to be based on Frank Sinatra.

A former bricklayer, he also sang the Love Theme From The Godfather, which featured in the score, and he was seen performing the song in the wedding scene of the first film.

At the time Martino topped the first UK "hit parade", the chart was compiled in a very different way to its modern equivalent.

Figures were compiled from just a handful of shops, mainly in London, compared to the nationwide network of stores used to compile more recent charts.

His nine-week run has rarely been beaten. Only six records have had a longer continuous run at the top, the most recent of which was Umbrella by Rihanna in 2007.