Mariah Carey is rumoured to have been paid [$1.5million] to perform at a private celebration in London for the son of the Sultan of Brunei at the five-star Dorchester Hotel. She is understood to have performed around three hits, including Always Be My Baby, and lead a chorus of Auld Lang Syne, much to the delight of the crowd. Miss Carey had been invited to appear by Prince Azim, the billionaire 31-year-old playboy son of the Sultan of Brunei. The pair have been friends for a number of years.

The singer, her husband and their two children, along with members of her entourage, were flown from the US by private jet, before the family was put up in the [$8,000]-a-night Harlequin Suite at the prestigious hotel, which is owned by the Brunei Investment Agency.

Miss Carey, 43, performed alongside veteran star Diana Ross at the New Year's Eve event, where other guests included model Jerry Hall and actresses Sophia Loren and Faye Dunaway