Matt Bellamy, frontman of stadium rockers Muse has revealed how the band sometimes has to offer bribes to people behind the scenes at gig venues in order to pull off the special effects in their shows.

The band is well known for their shows which often feature pyrotechnics and explosions and Bellamy told The Sun how they often offer back-handers to be able to use the effects.

"Everywhere you go there are problems," he said.

"We have accountants and lawyers arguing with all sorts of local councils and police and promoters.

"In Rome, we had to bribe people with thousands of Euros just to be allowed to blast our fire effects. We had to phone the British Embassy in Rome and argue with some official. If you want to do things like this on the move, it's quite a big deal. It's pretty bloody expensive, though. It's mind-boggling how much, actually."

Earlier this year, then band caused local residents in the area surrounding Coventry’s Ricoh Arena to believe that the venue was on fire after flames rose above the roof of the stadium during one of the band’s rehearsals.