Teen in tears after going on stage with Coldplay

Chris Martin is holding AJ Murphy's right hand in the air in this image taken from a screen at Wembley. They are sitting at a piano on stage. Martin is wearing a colourful turquoise T-shirt and colourful wrist bands. AJ is wearing a black Coldplay T-shirt and noise cancelling headphones. He is smiling. Image source, Handout
Image caption,

AJ Murphy said going on stage with Chris Martin and Coldplay was "the best moment in the world"

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A young Coldplay fan said he was "crying" after being invited onto the stage at Wembley Stadium to meet the band's frontman Chris Martin.

AJ Murphy said meeting and sitting next to Martin as the Coldplay singer played the piano had been "the best experience of my life".

The 18-year-old, from the Walton area of Liverpool, was called up to the stage after Martin spotted his "spectacular" sign, which read "I am autistic. Please pick me."

The young DJ said he was "star struck" during the experience, adding: "I'll never forget this moment."

Martin told the teenager: "OK, my brother, here we go..." before launching into AJ's choice of song, Trouble.

He was also seen mouthing "OK?" to AJ and tenderly reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder during the performance in front of a capacity crowd in the tens of thousands.

They were joined by guitarist Jonny Buckland on backing vocals.

AJ, who was at the concert with his dad and their friends, described Coldplay's songs as "boss".

He said he was determined to get picked by Martin to go on stage, adding that it was "the best moment in the world".

AJ, who is also a music producer, said his dad Ashley was "in shock with tears streaming down his face" when he came back off stage.

Ashley Murphy is facing away from the camera and is hugging AJ. Audience members and arena staff can be seen around them.Image source, Handout
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AJ Murphy hugged his dad after coming off stage

Ashley Murphy said his son, who has been a fan of Coldplay since he was little, was "still in shock" and "on cloud nine".

Ashley said AJ had gone to try to get Martin's attention with his sign and he briefly lost sight of his son, thinking he may have been heading back towards him.

"I was shell-shocked and froze when I saw AJ on all the big screens," he said.

"The next minute he came round and gave me the biggest hug and we had our moment - we were both in tears and it was the greatest moment of our lives.

"He's come a long way from when he didn't come out of his bedroom," added Ashley.

Chris Martin hugs AJ Murphy on stage, with the crowd behind themImage source, Handout
Image caption,

Chris Martin said AJ's colourful sign, complete with LED lights, was "spectacular"

AJ's mum Rachel said she missed seeing him on stage after selling her ticket so she could get ready for the family's holiday on Monday.

She said she was incredibly proud of her son and so happy for him.

AJ, who also enjoys playing Coldplay songs on the piano, said he loved working as a DJ and studying music production.

In future, he wants to perform in Ibiza again as well as entertaining festival goers at Glastonbury and Creamfields.

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