Chris de Burgh buys Alien!

Irish singer Chris de Burgh has bought a "defining moment" in film history at auction, fending off international bidding for the original Alien creature.

The singer paid £29,875, including buyer's premium, for the "chest burster" from the 1979 classic sci-fi film.

Auctioneers Bonhams had estimated the piece, sold by designer and operator Roger Dicken, would go under the hammer for up to £12,000.

But frantic bidding for the lot, described by Bonhams as "an iconic piece of science fiction film history", pushed the price up to more than double.

The hideous creature burst from John Hurt's chest in Ridley Scott's film, and following the sale, the singer said: "I bought it because I believed it was a defining moment in cinema history for its sheer horror.

"I know John Hurt very well, and of course I will give him natural visiting orders being the mother of this creature."

Other items in today's sale of Rock and Roll and Film Memorabilia at the Knightsbridge saleroom included items from The Beatles and a selection of notes from Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor expressing his feelings for her.