U2 were the biggest selling overseas act on any UK label last year, according to a new report from UK magazine Music Week.

The Best of 1990-2000, released only in November, sold more than 5m copies outside the UK by the year end - and two other U2 albums sold more than a million each. Behind U2 in the global sales league of other UK-signed acts came The Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Elton John and Kylie Minogue.

'The enduring global appeal of U2 showed no signs of slowing in 2002,' reported industry title Music Week.

The second 'Best of' reignited sales of the first ('Best of 1980-1990') and also of All That You Can't Leave Behind, released in 2000, which has now reached cumulative worldwide sales outside the UK of 11m.

'The Best of 1980-1990 has been a phenomenal seller for us since its release four years ago,' said Steve Matthews, Island Records International Group, 'And it got a new lease of life with the release of the second volume. U2 have managed to draw in a whole new generation of fans with All That You Can't Leave Behind and the Elevation tour.'