Coldplay formed a new supergroup at the opening show of their three date O2 Arena residency last night - with comic actor Simon Pegg.

Midway through the set, much to the sell-out crowd's surprise, the band walked into the first tier of the audience. With a solitary spotlight beaming on them, Chris Martin announced: “In homage to Robbie Williams rejoining Take That, we're going to form our own supergroup, ladies and gentlemen it's Simon Pegg!”

A somewhat nervous looking Pegg shuffled on and performed harmonica with the band on 'Green Eyes' and the Will Champion sung 'Death Will Never Conquer'.

Pegg is a close friend of Chris Martin and is godfather to his daughter with Gwyneth Paltrow, Apple.

Earlier on in the triumphant set, while beckoning the crowd to sing with him during 'Yellow', Martin made a cheeky reference to American guitarist Joe Satriani who claims 'Viva La Vida' borrows substantial portions of his 2004 track 'If I Could Fly'.

Martin joked: “Given that we've only got two hit singles and one of them is about to be taken away by some guitarist, give it all you can.”

As always Martin was in a playful and energetic mood throughout. After the opening tracks 'Life In Technicolor' and 'Violet Hill', he beamed: “We love coming back home – we're called Coldplay and we're from London!'

During 'In My Place', he almost risked injury, almost falling into the crowd when he slid on the stage.

Poignant moments in the set were 'Yellow' when hundreds of giant balloons were released from the ceiling, the rousing 'Fix You' and the set closer 'The Scientist'. The band continue their O2 Arena residency tonight.

(by Scott Colothan)