Coldplay's New Year's Eve gig

Coldplay will be paid £1 million to perform in Abu Dhabi in the Middle East on New Year's Eve.

Coldplay are being paid £1 million to perform on New Year's Eve.

The band - made up of Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Will Champion and Jonny Buckland - were persuaded to perform at the Volvo Ocean Race venue in Abu Dhabi by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed.

Table tickets for the exclusive event cost £4,300, which includes car parking passes, champagne and spirits.

Jonny is particularly excited to be performing at the venue because he loved his visit the last time he went.

He told The Sun newspaper: "I've never stayed anywhere like the hotel they put me in and probably never will again. It made Buckingham Palace look like a two-bed semi."

However, the performance will be an unusual one for Chris - who raises children Apple, seven and Moses, five, with Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow - because he usually does not seem them over the festive period.

He said: "We're best friends who never hang out with each other except for 10 hours a day when we're working."