EXCITEMENT has been growing around the world following  the announcement that Coldplay will play a homecoming  gig in Exeter in the run-up to  Christmas.

As revealed in yesterday’s  Echo, Chris Martin is bringing  his band home for a one-off  concert at Exeter Castle on Saturday, December 19, in aid of  learning disability charity Mencap.  Also on the bill is Lily Allen  and La Roux but tickets have  been limited to 500.

This is expected to result in a  mad scramble when they go on  sale next week. Fans of the  supergroup from around the  world have been expressing  their jealousy at not being able  to attend the once-in-a-lifetime  event. They have been flooding  internet message boards in  their thousands on social networking sites such as Facebook  providing almost unparalleled  publicity for Exeter.

 Fans from countries including India, Bali, Macedonia and  Argentina are among those expressing their envy at city folk  who have the chance to hear  their heroes. Writing on a Coldplay fansite, Michelle McDougal said: “Exeter is my home  town and I don’t arrive back  there from the US until the 21st.  I can’t believe it.”

Kirsten Scudds said: “What  an awesome line up, I don’t  want to live in Adelaide anymore.”

Meanwhile, top DJ and television presenter Jo Whiley has  revealed she has a personal   reason for bringing Coldplay  and Lily Allen to the city.

She has been a longtime supporter of the concert beneficiary, learning disability charity Mencap,  as her sister, Frances, suffers  from  a rare, genetic condition  known as Lejeune’s Syndrome  or cri du  chat, the French for  call of the cat referring to the  characteristic  cat-like cry of affected children.

The symptoms mean her sister has no sense of danger,  suffers  from outbursts and  temper tantrums, obsessive behaviour and a  short attention  span.

 The condition is congenital and  Jo, who is married to Steve  Morton  and has four children,  India, Jude, Cassius, Coco and  Lux, is a  carrier.

In 2006 she said that she had  been tested at each of her  pregnancies, and that she would  have terminated a pregnancy if   the tests had proved positive.

Jo is a leading force behind  Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions.

Jo said: “‘Exeter  is a part of  the world I love. I know it  means  a lot to Chris  to be doing  this final gig of the year as a   homecoming. I can’t wait to be  there.”

Tickets for the concer will be   available from  Tuesday, December 8, subject to subscription, at  www.littlenoisesessions.org.uk costing £50.

Exeter residents have an additional chance to buy tickets  as   a limited number will go on  sale at HMV, in Princesshay,  Exeter,  on Thursday, December 10, before going on general  release the   next day.