Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson insists James Blunt deserves his five Brit Awards nominations, despite the fact he can’t stand his music.

The Leeds-based rockers and the former British Army captain led the way when the Brit Awards contenders were announced on Tuesday with both acts up for five awards.

The two artists will go head to head in the Best British Album and British Breakthrough categories and although Wilson has never bought any of Blunt’s records, he is not surprised the singer-songwriter is getting some recognition.

He said: “Some people love James Blunt and some people hate him, but I really just don’t care.

“It’s like me being a lawyer or a farmer and being compared to a telesales assistant. I’ve talked to him and we had a right good chat, but let’s just say that I don’t have any of his records.

“We’ve just started out, but our nominations are deserved. I don’t want to sound big-headed, but there aren’t any shocks in there.”