The Rolling Stones have topped the list for the highest earners in live entertainment for the year to date.

The band's schedule was hampered by disruption in Europe after guitarist Keith Richards had to undergo brain surgery, but the 'Bigger Bang' tour was still the highest earning in the business.

U2 came second, but it was not a close run race. The Irish band's tour was also held back, when a family illness led to guitarist The Edge unable to attend certain dates in March.

The top ten earners are as follows:

1. The Rolling Stones - £79.7 million
2. U2 - £39.4 million
3. Bon Jovi - £35 million
4. Billy Joel - £26.3 million
5. Cirque Du Soleil'S Delirium - £21.5 million
6. Aerosmith - £19.4 million
7. Coldplay - £16.1 million
8. Luis Miguel - £13.8 million
9. Trans Siberian Orchestra - £13.3 million
10. Sir Paul McCartney - £9.7 million