Lionel Richie's £1m just to sing for Sir Philip Green
Lionel Richie will be counting his money "all night long" tonight after a healthy payday from Topshop tycoon Sir Philip Green. The Arcadia boss reportedly paid the pop legend a whopping £1m to perform at his private party last night.
Three times a payday: Lionel Richie outside The Dorchester
The Hello singer gave a thumbs up and a smile as he left the venue, The Dorchester hotel in Park Lane, and now we understand why. Guests at the bash included Sir Philip's daughter Chloe, his colleague and pal Kate Moss and her boyfriend Jamie Hince, and Geri Halliwell.
We're told: "Lionel was paid £1m to sing 15 songs - old hits like Dancing On The Ceiling and All Night Long - while £200,000 was spent on a white carpet for the event."
Sir Philip isn't one to scrimp when it comes to parties. He spent £4m on his son Brandon's bar mitzvah in 2005, which featured performances by Andrea Bocelli and Beyoncé's old group Destiny's Child. And for his own 55th birthday in 2007, the £6m five-day celebration on a private island in the Indian Ocean included sing- songs from George Michael, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin.
That makes last night ' s bash - at close to £ 1.5m - a relatively cheap affair. Today his company Arcadia said they didn't know anything about the bash, while Lionel's spokesman was unavailable for comment.
The Dorchester, discreet as ever, did not wish to confirm our inside information.