It's called Promo Bono and media outlets around the world are claiming this promotional puppet of the U2 singer has been sent to 'VIP reviewers' of the band's new album.

Well, we didn't get one. And, on closer investigation, turns out no-one else did either.

The spoof was sparked by a tongue-in-cheek item on fansite U2log.com - complete with image of said doll - which claimed that if you pulled a cord on the back of the pint-sized puppet, it would respond with soundbites such as "let's bite the arse of the pop charts" and "they're boys, we're men".

The doll was allegedly inspired by a comment made by Bono at an Australian press conference in 1998. When asked whether the band planned to market action figures of themselves, he replied: 'They're actually in the factory mating with the Spice Girls dolls and they haven't made it onto the High Street.'


Still, while that story is not true, this one is: the band have invited the CHEMICAL BROTHERS to open for them at their show in New York's Irving Plaza next Tuesday.

U2 have been long-time fans of the Chemicals, who play their final UK show of the year at The Chain Store, opposite the Millennium Dome, on New Year's Eve.