Andrew Lloyd-Webber has overtaken Paul McCartney in the wealth stakes, after he was named the second richest music man in Britain, worth an estimated $1.5 billion.

The music impresario is worth 50 million more than the former Beatle after gaining major profits in his hit British TV talent search How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, which asked the public to vote for who they wanted as the leading lady in London musical The Sound Of Music.

As a result of the show and the subsequent musical's popularity, Lloyd-Webber's earnings rose by $100 million - up from $1.4 billion in 2006 in The Sunday Times Rich List of Music Millionaires in Britain in 2007.

The Hey Jude star slipped to third position with $1.45 billion, partly due to a predicted $200 million divorce settlement experts believe he will pay to estranged wife, Heather Mills.

Simon Fuller, the brains behind TV program American Idol, is in joint fourth place with $900 million, while Madonna and director husband Guy Ritchie remain in sixth place for the second year running with a combined fortune $550 million.

Elton John came seventh with $450 million, while Rolling Stones rockers Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are in eighth and 10th place respectively, with fortunes of $430 million and $380 million each.

But no one could beat former record label head Clive Calder - the man behind the careers of Britney Spears and 'N Sync - whose personal fortune is estimated $2.6 billion.

Picture Galleries:
- Paul McCartney
- Beatles
- Heather Mills
- American Idol
- Madonna
- Elton John
- Rolling Stones
- Mick Jagger
- Keith Richards
- Britney Spears
- 'N Sync

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)