LONDON, July 14 (UPI) -- Songwriter Chris de Burgh paid more than $50,000 at a London auction for the creature that burst from actor John Hurt's stomach in the sci-fi film "Alien."
De Burgh, who penned and recorded the 1986 love song "The Lady In Red, purchased the classic film prop amid frantic bidding Tuesday at Bonham's, where international bidders drove the selling price far past the estimated $20,000, Britain's Guardian reported Wednesday.
"I bought it because I believed it was a defining moment in cinema history for its sheer horror," de Burgh said of his purchase.
Roger Dicken, the baby alien's designer and operator, put the item up for sale.
Other items auctioned in the sale of rock 'n' roll and film memorabilia included Beatles relics, as well as notes from actor Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor expressing his feelings for her.
