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GEORGE MICHAEL GETS £1.7 MILLION FOR 75-MINUTE PRIVATE GIG

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3 JANUARY 2007

With most of Britain's favourite nightspots charging double or treble their normal entry fees on December 31, New Year's Eve turned out to be a rather expensive night for many revellers. Ringing in 2007 was a somewhat more profitable occasion for chart-topper George Michael, however, after he pocketed £1.7 million for 75 minutes work.

The pop veteran was paid the jaw-dropping fee for giving a one-off performance at a party thrown by Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin. According to newspaper reports the mining tycoon could easily afford the figure, as his £4-billion fortune makes him the ninth richest person in the country.

The Careless Whisper singer was flown into Moscow on a private jet before being taken to the oligarch's sumptuous estate 20 miles outside the city. His gig began at 3.30am on New Year's Day and lasted until 4.45am, after which the British crooner boarded another plane and headed back to London.

It is thought to be the largest payment ever received by a recording artist for a single concert.

George is by no means the only star to have done well out of playing at a private party, though. Destiny's Child received £1.5 million for strutting their stuff at the Bar Mitzvah of clothing magnate Philip Green's son and Sir Paul McCartney picked up £640,000 after performing at a birthday bash thrown by an American millionaire for his wife.