Whitney Houston's Death Expected To See Singer Storm The Charts

Whitney Houston's music is expected to soar to the top of the charts after the shock news of her death last night, the Official Charts Company (OCC) said.

The company said it was already expecting a sales surge to impact on the charts, with the singer's songs expected to take places in the Official Singles Chart and Official Albums Chart over the next week.

Although first verified sales reports will not be made until Tuesday morning, incorporating sales from Sunday and Monday, the OCC said it understood that sales are already surging.

A similar effect was seen after the deaths of Michael Jackson in June 2009 and Amy Winehouse in August 2011 as fans paid tribute by buying the artists' singles and albums.

In summer 2009, six Michael Jackson albums hit the Official Albums Chart Top 40, including a greatest hits at Number 1, while five singles hit the Official Singles Chart Top 40, a week after the singer's death.

Two years later, Amy Winehouse's albums took three places in the Official Top 10, along with five singles in the Official Top 40.

Full coverage of Whitney Houston's Death

• Live updates: Cause of death unknown
• Simon Cowell and Mitch Winehouse among UK tributes
• The no-holds barred interview with Oprah on drug use
• Bobby Brown 'devastated'

• Watch: Some of her most memorable live performances

The OCC described Houston as a "true legend" of the UK's Official Charts - her first UK hit Saving All My Love For You, became Official number 1 in 1985. She racked up four number one singles and 13 more top 10 singles, along with two number one albums and five more top 10 singles.

The star's biggest hit was a cover of Dolly's Parton's I Will Always Love You, which featured in The Bodyguard, which became the biggest-selling single of 1992 and the 10th biggest single of 1993, according to Official Charts data. It held the Official Number 1 spot for 10 weeks.

As record sales started to surge, tributes continued to pour in from stars across the world.

Record producer Peter Waterman described Houston as an "icon".

"She dominated the 80s," he told the BBC. "She had one of the greatest voices of all time. There isn't any better.

The Stock Aitken Waterman songwriter said the troubled star's drug problems were "the tragedy of success".

In a written statement, legendary music producer Quincy Jones said he was heartbroken at the news.

"I always regretted not having had the opportunity to work with her. She was a true original and a talent beyond compare. I will miss her terribly."

Barbra Streisand wrote on Twitter: "She had everything, beauty, a magnificent voice. How sad her gifts could not bring her the same happiness they brought us."

Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb added his condolences, saying: "In my estimation we have lost one of the greatest voices in popular music today...but as we always learn too late....we never cherish it until it's gone. My thoughts are with her family."

Singer and actress Christina Aguilera wrote: "We have lost another legend. Love and prayers to Whitney's family. She will be missed," while Cheryl Cole wrote: "So sad :-("

Aspiring singer Joelle Moses, a contestant on the 2008 X Factor, said Houston was her main inspiration and influence, describing her as her "musical mother".

"I'm just in shock - I can't believe it," she told BBC 5Live.

Moses, from London, added: "She was an incredible musician. I feel a lot of people wrote her off and thought she was washed out but personally I never felt that. Her voice was so incredible and so powerful and when you watched her you were so mesmerised by her performance because she sang from her heart."

WHITNEY IN PICTURES