Coldplay leap-Frogged

Music

09:30 27 May 2005

Coldplay are set to be denied their first ever number one hit single - by a mobile ringtone.

The British rockers, fronted by Chris Martin, were hoping their new single, 'Speed of Sound', taken from their long-awaited third album 'X&Y', would top the British charts.

But at the eleventh hour, the group will be denied the top spot by Crazy Frog - a strange-looking blue creature who makes the sound of a motorbike.

The novelty record, which features the frog's voice spliced with 'Axel F', the theme song from 80's action film 'Beverly Hills Cop', has already sold three times as many copies as Coldplay - according to mid-week sales figures.

The Frog, which was originally a mobile phone ring tone and wallpaper, is the combined creation of animator Swede Erik Wernquist and fellow countryman Daniel Malmedahl, who created the sound.

Despite the character's incredible success, Wernquist - who is said to have pocketed around £10million for his creation - says he can't stand the record and would never buy it himself.

He said: "Some people obviously think this is worth paying for. I don't, I would never have it anywhere near me."

(c) BANG Media International