The self-confessed Material Girl earnt more last year than the man who sang "money can't buy me love" - but only just.

Sir Paul McCartney, who lives near Rye, was the second highest-earning music star of the past year, according to the Sunday Times Pay List.

Madonna came top after making £36 million, with Sir Paul taking home £1m less.

Sir Mick Jagger came third with £24.5 million while bandmate Keith Richards, who has a home in Chichester, was fourth with £24 million.

Pop guru Simon Fuller, who lives in Brighton, earned £30 million from his TV talent show Pop Idol, dwarfing the £500,000 made by its winner Will Young.

The list, in its third year, ranks Britain's 500 highest-paid people by examining their earnings over the past year.