TOP-SELLING releases from George Michael and Tina Turner proved music to EMI's ears as earnings in the first half rose, figures showed yesterday.

The good performance was also helped by new artists including Spice Girls, World's Apart, Me&My and Fun Lovin' Criminals, the group said after pre-tax profits soared to £146.2 million from £106.4 million.

The figures for the six months to the end of September were boosted by one-off exceptional items totalling £37.8 million.

They represented gains on businesses sold during the period.