Legendary soul singer Lionel Richie was left embarrassed after rowdy Chelsea footballers heckled him at the reception of England captain JOHN TERRY.

Terry's bride TONI POOLE asked for the singer especially for her big day, with the couple splashing out almost £250,000 on his set at Blenheim Palace, but rowdy guests at the couple's wedding almost ruined the moment.

Lionel was reportedly singing his classic HELLO when the footballers began chanting back at him as if they were on the terraces, said one source.

And the DANCING ON THE CEILING star had to tell guests, who included Chelsea midfielder FRANK LAMPARD and Liverpool's JAMIE CARRAGHER, to be quiet.

The source told the Sun: "They had downed so much champagne at the reception the guests became really lairy and started shouting over his set.

"In the end he asked the crowd to be quiet and said, 'I've only got two more songs, please stick with me'."

Lionel's night had started badly though, after his light-hearted joke almost sent bride Toni into tears. He said: "I had better open the show with Hello since it is going to be in that magazine next week."

However, this upset Toni as she thought she might lose the lucrative contract the couple had actually signed with OK! - Hello's biggest rivals.



19/06/2007 15:34:32