Organisers of this year’s eagerly-anticipated Brit Awards have been forced into drawing up a contingency plan after one of their key proposed acts spectacularly fell apart.

Brit bigwigs were planning on arranging a massive duet between Modfather Paul Weller, who is receiving an outstanding contribution to music award, and popular newcomer James Blunt.

However, the former Jam lead has informed event chiefs, in no uncertain terms, that he is not prepared to perform alongside the You’re Beautiful crooner.

‘I’d rather eat my own s**t than duet with James Blunt,’ Weller is reported as saying.

His record company V2 echoed Weller’s sentiments, albeit in slightly different words.

‘James isn’t exactly the coolest singer around at the moment,’ a V2 spokesperson said. ‘He’s the last person Paul would sing with.’

This latest knockback, while disrupting organisers’ plans, is perfectly in keeping with the Brits somewhat acrimonious past and many are now predicting a reappearance of fireworks between attendees come February 15th at London’s Earl’s Court.