'Sexiest' Blurred Lines Named UK's Biggest-Selling Single of 2013

It was the song that courted widespread controversy, spurned a feminist parody and even sparked a university ban, all while climbing charts worldwide.

And now Robin Thicke's summer hit Blurred Lines has been crowned the best-selling single of 2013 in the UK.

The track, which was a collaborative effort from Thicke, Pharrell Williams and rapper T.I, secured the top spot with sales of almost 1.5 million copies, the UK Official Charts Company reports.

Despite facing backlash for degrading women and condoning rape, it spent five weeks at number one in the summer and 30 weeks in the chart in total.

Its accompanying video, which featured a bevy of topless models draping themselves over the fully clothed male artistes, was banned from YouTube.

At the height of the controversy Thicke defended the song as a "feminist movement".

"It's supposed to stir conversation, it's supposed to make us talk about what's important and what the relationship between men and women is, but if you listen to the lyrics it says 'That man is not your maker'. It's actually a feminist movement within itself," he added.

In December, Thicke was named sexist of the year in a poll by the End Violence Against Women Coalition.

Meanwhile French dance duo Daft Punk came in second place with "Get Lucky", a track that also features Williams. Their collaboration has sold 1.3 million copies to date.

Williams said of his double victory: "I'm humbled by all of the love the UK fans have shown. But, when you are working with incredible talent like The Robots and Robin, great things are bound to happen."

Swedish DJ Avicii bagged the third biggest-selling single of the year with his first number 1 'Wake Me Up'.

Passenger, real name Mike Rosenberg, claimed fourth spot with 1.03 million copies of his single 'Let Her Go'.

The top five was capped off with 'La La La' by Naughty Boy ft Sam Smith, which has sold over 941,000 copies since its May release.

Top ten biggest-selling singles in the UK in 2013 FULL LIST:

1. 'Blurred Lines' - Robin Thicke/ Pharrell Williams/ TI

2. 'Get Lucky' - Daft Punk ft Pharrell Williams

3. 'Wake Me Up' - Avicii

4. 'Let Her Go' - Passenger

5. 'La La La' - Naughty Boy ft Sam Smith

6. 'Roar' - Katy Perry

7. 'Thrift Shop' - Macklemore/ Ryan Lewis/ Wanz

8. 'Just Give Me A Reason' - Pink ft Nate Ruess