Lead singer Gary Brooker has launched an appeal against last year's ruling that Matthew Fisher, the band's organist who now works as a computer programmer, was entitled to a 40% stake in the musical copyright.

QC John Baldwin who is representing Brooker said Fisher had not taken the case to court earlier because he knew it would be the end of his career in the group.

He said: "There are advantages in being a pop star. Girls wink at you. ...