So according to the press, U2's surprise appearance at last night Island 50 celebration was a last minute, unplanned and impromptu performance from Bono and the boys? Not according to our mole...

The band joined Senegalese artist Baaba Maal onstage at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire as part of Island Records' 50th anniversary gig for a rendition of 'One' and 'Vertigo'. But it wasn't quite as spontaneous as they made out. Our mole from the crew explains:

"It was so utterly spontaneous that they soundchecked for over an hour, then sat in the media room afterwards and spent 90 minutes checking the filmed footage of the soundcheck to make sure they looked 'cool' enough".

"They then spent quite some time rehearsing how they were going to WALK ONTO THE STAGE, so that looked good as well."

Vain bastards!