Beyoncé's father: Divorce rumours were used to 'ignite' ticket sales

Los Angeles - Beyoncé Knowles' father has claimed his daughter and Jay Z orchestrated divorce rumours to "ignite" ticket sales.

The couple have been hit by speculation their marriage is on the rocks in recent weeks but Matthew Knowles insists the rumours are simply a "Jedi mind trick" to boost ticket sales for Beyoncé and Jay's joint 'On The Run' tour.

Speaking on the Roula & Ryan show on radio station 104.1 KRBE in Houston, Matthew - who used to manage Beyoncé and girl group Destiny's Child - said: "I know, because we've done this. From experience, there's a tour going on, so you sometimes have to ignite that tour. It's called a Jedi mind trick. The Jedi mind trick fools you a lot."

The 63-year-old businessman also hinted footage of the infamous elevator incident between Beyoncé's sister Solange Knowles and Jay, which saw her lash out at her brother-in-law in a lift following a Met Ball after-party, was leaked to improve the trio's ticket and album sales.

He added: "All I know is the Jedi mind trick. Everyone's talking about it. Ticket sales went up. Solange's album sales went up 200%!"

Beyoncé and Jay appeared to play down rumours they are set to get divorced when their 'On
The Run' tour comes to an end in September by making a family appearance at the MTV VMAs this past Sunday night.

The couple took to the stage with their two-year-old daughter Blue Ivy at the ceremony at The Forum in California when Beyoncé collected her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

As the Single Ladies hitmaker's family presented Beyoncé with the lifetime achievement award, Blue voiced her approval, shouting: "Yay, mommy!"