Musicians owed millions in 'royalties'

Music stars including Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey are owed royalties worth a reported €16m.

It's been discovered the money has been accumulating since 1996, and is owed to a host of top celebrities and lesser-known musicians.

The cash relates to songs which have been played on the radio without them collecting the royalties.

The British organisation which collects the money has launched a cyber-appeal to trace the stars and hand over their cash.

It has published their names on a web site, and they range from names like Shirley Bassey to former Clive James side-kick Margarita Pracatan.

Comedian David Baddiel has also apparently failed to collect for his share in the royalties for Euro 96 smash-hit Three Lions.

Jackson is owed for Say Say Say, while Carey has not collected for her version of Against All Odds.

Thousands of musicians appear on the web site www.performersmoney.ppluk.com. It was set up by Phonographic Performance Limited, which collects money for musicians from radio or TV stations.

A spokesman has told a British newspaper: "The money is burning a hole in our pockets, but we just can't get rid of it."

"If anyone has seen Rick Astley please let him know Never Gonna Give You Up is still earning him money," he added.