Damon Albarn says he only agreed to play a longer set at the recent Lyon Festival because organisers gave him a table tennis table.

Albarn's revelation came in an interview with the Radio Times, in which he admitted to be obsessed with the sport.

"Yeah, everywhere I go I have to have a table tennis table. I love it; it's a brilliant way to relax when you’re working," he said.

"I'm playing at the Lyon Festival and they wanted a slightly longer set, so I said, 'If you give us a table tennis table then you'll get a longer set'."

Albarn also revealed that he had recently played with some of Britain's up and coming table tennis talent.

The former Blur frontman, who has helped create artwork for the BBC's coverage of their years Games, said they had some “fantastic players”.

“I don’t know if any of them are going to make it this Olympics, but they are aiming for medals in 2012,” he added.

(by Jason Gregory)