British band Coldplay will make their Super Bowl debut in tonight’s half-time show.

Pop superstar Beyonce returns for the first time since 2013 and Bruno Mars, who performed in 2014, is also back.

The Super Bowl, which will be broadcast on BBC Two, is the highlight of the American football calendar.

Coldplay
Coldplay (Sarah Jeynes/BBC)

It also attracts the biggest names in music: Whitney Houston’s peerless 1991 delivery of the Star-Spangled Banner stands out, and performers have included the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen.

A television audience of more than 100 million is expected as the Denver Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers.

Here are five of the biggest half-time show talking points from years gone by.

1. Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction”

 Singer Janet Jackson with Justin Timberlake
Singer Janet Jackson with Justin Timberlake (David Phillip/AP)

Janet and Justin Timberlake performed the former *NSYNC singer’s smash hit Rock Your Body in 2004.

As he sang the lyric “I’ll have you naked by the end of this song”, Justin pulled at a part of Janet’s costume.

But her right breast, which was covered only by a silver nipple ring, was exposed for a second or two.

After an outcry, Janet apologised and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cracked down on what it called “indecent content”. The half-time show is now broadcast on a transmission delay.

2. Beyonce killed it in 2013

Beyonce
Beyonce ruled the stage at her own halftime show in 2013 (Chris Pizzello/AP)

A couple of weeks before the Super Bowl, Beyonce had been criticised for singing along to a pre-recorded track at President Obama’s second inauguration ceremony.

But the Bootylicious star answered her critics with a spectacular showcase of her greatest hits, including Single Ladies and Crazy In Love.

The performance culminated in a long-awaited reunion when she was briefly joined by former Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.

Such was the frenetic energy of the half-time show, Beyonce was jokingly credited with sparking the power outage which left the New Orleans stadium in darkness for 35 minutes.

Did Beyonce Cause The Super Bowl Blackout? publications including USA Today and the LA Times asked.

Husband Jay Z’s message on Twitter was even simpler: “Any questions?”

3. Left shark stole Katy Perry’s thunder

Left Shark looking suitably confused on stage at the Super Bowl
Katy Perry with the sharks at the Super Bowl (Art Foxall//Landov/PA)

Katy’s performance of her hit Teenage Dream sparked a large number of “left shark” tweets and posts on social media in 2015.

Viewers were bemused by one of the two backing dancers in shark outfits who appeared to freestyle the choreographed routine.

The left shark made such an impression, a onesie was manufactured in its honour.

This Super Bowl show also contained a surprising guest star in rapper Missy Elliott.

The Grammy award-winner shared the stage with Katy for a medley of three of her biggest hits: Get Ur Freak On, Work It and Lose Control.

4. Michael Jackson ruled in 1993

Michael Jackson during Super Bowl XXVII
Michael Jackson during Super Bowl XXVII (Rusty Kennedy/AP)

The late king of pop is often credited with establishing the half-time entertainment show as the blockbusting extravaganza it is today.

He showcased tight choreography with his dancers, wowed with a light show and costume changes and brought hundreds of children onstage.

Michael did not share the half-time slot with anyone else: he had the stadium in California all to himself as he performed songs including Billie Jean, Black Or White and Heal The World.

5. M.I.A. gives the finger in 2012

M.I.A. performed with Madonna in 2012
M.I.A. performed with Madonna in 2012 (Evan Agostini/AP)

Madonna was the main player, singing four songs including Vogue and Like A Prayer, but it was rapper M.I.A who caused controversy.

The London-born artist generated a good deal of press after she gave the middle finger to the camera during the song Give Me All Your Luvin’, which was also performed with Nicki Minaj.

It led to the NFL suing M.I.A. for millions before a settlement was reached out of court.

Tonight’s Super Bowl will be broadcast on BBC Two at 10.50 pm.