A woman is demanding £2 million from a married British rock star who she claims is the father of her child.
According to The Sun, the child is said to be the result of a one-night stand with the singer. The newspaper says the star is desperate to keep the child secret because he fears it would end his marriage.
Friends of the baby's mother say he 'flatly refuse' her request for a £2million payout and significant child support until the girl turns 18, so she has now warned the father: "Pay up or I'll tell your wife."
One friend told The Sun: "The mother is holding all the cards and if he doesn't accept his responsibility she has said she will call his wife.
"She has no doubt in her mind he is the dad - she knows who she slept with and when. She isn't some tart, she's a successful professional.
"I wouldn't want to be in his shoes, and I suspect he is rather hot under the collar."
The singer - part of a hugely successful rock band - has a family with his wife and has always been known as a responsible father.
The Sun says he is one of the most recognisable faces in music, whose hits are regularly played on radio.
The mum is said to be a freelance writer in her 30s, She is said to be considering DNA tests to prove her claim.
The singer's agent refused to comment, but friends say his marriage will be over when his wife finds out.
One friend told the newspaper: "He knows his wife will go ballistic and throw him out. He'll be picking his clothes up off the street.
"This man will do anything to keep this under wraps. He wants nothing to do with the kid and is prepared to pay big bucks to keep this a secret.
"He knows his wife will throw him out and he will lose so much money he simply can't bear to contemplate honesty as an option."
A friend added: "You do not treat his wife like this - and that is why he is doing everything in his power to stop this coming out. The reality is, the truth will emerge. And my God, will there be fireworks."