Beyonce's dad: 'Marriage rumour boosted ticket sales'

Beyonce's father Mathew Knowles is convinced speculation that her marriage to Jay Z was on the rocks was created to boost ticket sales for their joint tour.

The couple was hit with split rumours during its On The Run trek, which began in June (14), and neither of the stars spoke publicly to defend their six-year marriage or deny the reports.

Beyonce's mother Tina blasted the speculation, insisting "everything's perfect", and now the former Destiny's Child star's dad and ex-manager Mathew has accused promoters of encouraging the rumours to drum up interest in the concerts.

He tells Texas radio station 104.1 KRBE, "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 at time."

Mathew Knowles also alludes to the infamous elevator bust-up between Jay Z and his sister-in-law Solange Knowles in May (14), adding, "All I know is the Jedi mind trick. Everyone's talking about it. Ticket sales went up. Solange's album sales went up 200 per cent!"

The On The Run Tour concludes in Paris, France in September (14).