Pop queen Madonna has been named the biggest selling singles artist of all time, after it was revealed she had sold over 17.8million single during her 30 year career.

The singer earns the title ahead of Barbadian superstar Rihanna, who, in only seven years in music, has sold 11.4million singles and is expected to overtake Madonna in the next few years - if she continues to sell at the same rate.

The sales information has been released by the Official Charts Company, who collated the sales information spanning three decades, covering Madonna's first ever single release 'Everybody' in 1982 to 'Turn Up The Radio' in 2012. Neither of these singles scored the singer a hit.

Australian star Kylie Minogue places third on the countdown while Whitney Houston and Lady Gaga are fourth and fifth. The top ten is as follows:

1. Madonna (17.8m)
2. Rihanna (11.4m)
3. Kylie Minogue (10.2m)
4. Whitney Houston (8.5m)
5. Lady Gaga (7.329m)
6. Britney Spears (7.324m)
7. Beyoncé (6.9m)
8. Celine Dion (6.7m)
9. Mariah Carey (6.62m)
10. Olivia Newton John (6.61m)

Rihanna fronted an ad campaign for Madonna's drink brand, Coco Vita

In recent years however, Madonna has become better known for causing controversy rather than scoring hit singles (something else she shares with Rihanna).

In the past year Madonna has made headlines during her MDNA tour for baring her breast on stage, using nazi imagery during her show and brandishing guns during her performance. She was recently pulled to the floor by a fan during a show in the US. Watch a video of the incident below.

Photos: Madonna causes controversy on stage