COLDPLAY - COLDPLAY DREAD TOURING

COLDPLAY took their time recording their third studio album, because they are "absolutely petrified" about the prospect of performing live again.

The British rockers have spent 16-months away from the stage working on the hugely anticipated follow up to A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD.

In that time frontman CHRIS MARTIN has become a father after his wife GWYNETH PALTROW gave birth to baby APPLE (14MAY04) - and all four bandmembers admit the thought of going back on the road isn't appealing.

Drummer WILL CHAMPION says, "We were in no hurry to finish the album because the prospect of touring was so daunting."