I am delighted to find that I am not the only one to find something amiss in the cosy relationship that appears to exist between the BBC and the pop group Coldplay. The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday: “Established bands such as Coldplay are getting free publicity on the BBC at the expense of up-and-coming artists, commercial stations claim.”

RadioCentre, the body representing commercial radio groups, was said to be about to complain to the BBC Trust.

The Telegraph stated: “The group has also accused the BBC of giving ‘undue prominence’ to Coldplay’s music and promotions on the radio and Internet.” Promotion of the single Viva la Vida and the associated tour was particularly cited.

Here is what I had to say on the subject of Viva La Vida last year, after complaining that singer Chris Martin (pictured) was spouting arrant nonsense when he sang of ‘Roman cavalry choirs’): “I perhaps wouldn’t be in the slightest bit bothered about this if I didn’t hear the song being played so often – almost every hour it seems – on Radio 2.

‘Is the BBC in receipt of some form of payola for its constant plugging of the record? I say this in the knowledge that it was from the forecourt of the BBC Television Centre that a first concert showcasing the Viva La Vida album was broadcast live a couple of months back with the likes of Alan ‘Botney’ Yentob grinning cheesily from the sidelines. Coldplay also played at Brixton Academy in June under the Radio One Presents banner. Next Saturday night, they are to perform live from the BBC Radio Theatre under the auspices of Radio 2. This is support from a publicly funded body of a sort that any rising talents in the pop world can only gaze at with envy.”

See what I mean?