Blur refused BRIT Award in 2010

Blur refused to accept a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 2010.

The 'Parklife' group - who have been largely defunct since 2003, apart from a series of one-off shows in 2009 - picked up the prestigious accolade at the BRITs last night (21.02.12), but singer Damon Albarn revealed the band turned down the prize two years ago and it went to Robbie Williams.

Damon said: "We were offered it a few years ago. But we turned it down so they gave it to Robbie Williams."

But Blur – who are also made up of guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree – thought better of rejecting the award at this year's ceremony as they didn't want to see someone else picking up the prize in their place.

He added to NME magazine: "I wouldn't hazard a guess as to who was next in the line, but the reality is none of us are irreplaceable and if we didn't accept it, somebody else would get it.

"I tend to take a rather pragmatic view of these things these days."

The band played five songs at the BRITs at London's O2 on Tuesday night, including their 1999 hit 'Tender' alongside a 32-piece gospel choir.