The rich get richer...

Updated 13.00 Thu Apr 19 2007

Keywords: Sir Paul McCartney, Richard Branson, EasyJet, Stelios, Roman Abramovich, David Beckham, Robbie Williams, American Idol, X Factor, Simon Cowell

David Beckham, Robbie Williams and Simon Cowell have all made more money according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

Music mogul Cowell, 47 is the big winner - his wealth balloon by an extra £40 million and the X Factor and American Idol judge now sits on an estimated assets of £100 million. From 944th position last year to 700 this year, no other individual from the world of pop has risen up the ranks so much.

The world's richest footballer, David Beckham, 31, has an extra £25 million, which takes his wealth to £112 million

Cowell has overtaken Robbie Williams, 33, who sits at number 755 having increased his wealth by £5 million despite a spell in rehab and the critical mauling of his latest album, to £95 million this year.

Sir Paul McCartney, whose divorce settlement with Heather Mills is yet to be thrashed out, is currently ranked at 102 with £725 million.

The world's richest footballer, David Beckham, 31, has an extra £25 million, which takes his wealth to £112 million, and is ranked at 619 and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich remains at number two overall with an estimated worth of £10.8 billion.

The wealthiest man in Britain, taking first place in the list, is steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal.

In the battle of airline magnates, EasyJet's Stelios Haji-Ioannou, 40, is closing the gap with entrepreneur Richard Branson, 56, having broken the billionaire barrier.

Stelios is now worth £1.29 billion and has moved up from 80 to 49th place. Branson has dropped out of the top 10 and has fallen two places to 11 with £3.1 billion assets.