Michael Buble decides against hosting the 2018 Brit Awards — after pulling out of last year’s ceremony due to his son’s cancer diagnosis
IT is the biggest night in the British music calendar, so the Brit Awards needs a host who can keep a lid on the winners’ wild behaviour.
But bosses have had to go back to the drawing board for the 2018 bash — after MICHAEL BUBLE decided against hosting.
I announced late last year that the Canadian superstar would front the show in February 2017 but he pulled out just weeks before the event as his young son Noah was diagnosed with cancer.
He was instead widely expected to do the 2018 Brits, now that his lad is well on his way to recovery — but now that looks likely.
A Brits insider said: “Following the great news about Noah’s condition, many people thought Michael would fly over to host the 2018 ceremony. But he is not in any rush to get back to work and discussions with him have been almost non-existent.
"Everyone would love for Michael to host in the future and the door will always be open. But, as it looks like he won’t be available, talks have started with other stars.”
EMMA WILLIS and DERMOT O’LEARY did an excellent job last February after being called in at the eleventh hour.
Before that, ANT & DEC took the reins for two years — following a four-year run by JAMES CORDEN.
Speaking ahead of the 2017 Brits, chairman Jason Iley did not rule out Bublé hosting at a later date, saying: “Our thoughts go out to Michael and his family. We would love to see him on our stage in future.”
But sources say organisers remain respectful of the star’s need to commit fully to his family.
They have a dilemma, though, over who could live up to Michael.
As long as they don’t sign 2008 hosts THE OSBOURNES again, the night should be excellent.
BIZBIT
ALEXA CHUNG split with ARCTIC MONKEYS ALEX TURNER six years ago, but she's still not over the break-up. The stroppy model insisted a DJ turn off one her ex's band's tunes, Flurosecent Adolescent, at Paris Fashion Week.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE COLUMN
Who could front the big night? My suggestions
EMMA WILLIS & DERMOT O’LEARY: Why change a winning combo? They were a safe pair of hands last year after Bublé pulled out.
NICK GRIMSHAW & HARRY STYLES: Harry got some experience guest-hosting this year on pal James Corden’s show. He’d be great with BFF Nick.
THE SPICE GIRLS: The reunion has to happen at some point – Mel B would bring the madness and Victoria the class.
KANYE WEST: He could present every award to himself. Seriously.
Or TAYLOR SWIFT and KATY PERRY: Put the feud to bed once and for all.
BIZBIT
SHERIDAN SMITH’s debut album, imaginatively titled Sheridan: The Album, will be out on November 3. She will sing one of the tracks, My Man, from the musical Funny Girl, on this Sunday’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing.
Tom's film cortadoh!
TOM CRUISE is back in action after a broken foot saw filming for Mission: Impossible suspended – but all has not run entirely smoothly.
He seemed on top form as he hauled himself into a model helicopter, only to run into a spot of bother when it came to trying to get a coffee at the local cafe in Brentwood, Essex . . . because it had been packed out by the cast of Towie, who were filming nearby. An insider revealed: “Tom loves a strong coffee, so asked one of the guys to pick one up for him. But they were sent packing as Towie had taken the place over.
“His people were bemused. Many had never even heard of Towie and don’t usually have any problem getting things sorted when it’s for Tom.”
They’d be more baffled if they realised what Z-listers the Towie lot are.
Shania's still got it, wolf
WOLF ALICE have taken the low road to keep SHANIA TWAIN off the No1 spot.
The four-piece rock group compared her to the terrifying clown from horror movie It and said she reminded them of traumatic school days.
Drummer JOEL DILLA wrote online: “When I was in year four, one of our teachers used to take us for compulsory line dancing lessons every week.
“My poor, fat nine year old self had to dance back and forth to an endless loop of Man, I Feel Like A Woman while cursing the name Shania Twain.
“Fifteen years later, like a country star makeover of It, she has returned from her slumber. Together we can put an end to this madness.”
But the great news is that one of the sweetest women in pop looks set to triumph after pulling ahead in the closest chart battle in years.
Yesterday her first album in 15 years, Now, had edged 1,400 copies ahead of Wolf Alice’s Visions of a Life.
I originally thought the closely-fought contest would be between Shania and MILEY CYRUS, but she has slipped down the rankings.
When I spoke about it on Lorraine last week, RUSSELL BRAND told me: “Don’t get obsessed with it, Dan. Just be happy with whoever is number one.”
Well sorry Russell, I’m now more excited than ever.
BIZBIT
SAM SMITH will release the second single from his much-anticipated second album tomorrow. Following three weeks at No1 for Too Good At Goodbyes, he has teased next single Everyone Prays In The End on his Twitter account.
Ayda go, Mel
ROBBIE WILLIAMS famously joked that he had bedded “four out of five” of the SPICE GIRLS.
But that hasn’t stopped his wife AYDA FIELD from becoming pals with MEL B and they were out shopping together in Los Angeles on Tuesday – Mel in this racy, cut-out jumpsuit and leopard-print boots, Ayda a little more relaxed in just shirt and jeans.
It could have been awkward if Robbie had turned up.
Bizmeter charts
HERE is the chart of the UK’s best-selling singles so far in 2017. The figure in brackets is each track’s highest weekly chart position.
ACCORDING to the – and anyone who listens to music – ED SHEERAN has dominated 2017, boasting three of the five biggest hits so far this year. That includes Shape Of You which is on the cusp of breaking three million combined sales – a feat only achieved by BAND AID’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? and ELTON JOHN’s Princess Diana tribute Candle In The Wind ’97.
THE decision to remix Despacito has been a real money-spinner for JUSTIN BIEBER.
The tune, originally by LUIS FONSI and DADDY YANKEE, is the second biggest tune of the year with two million sales, including 583,000 downloads, and 142million streams.
US rapper FRENCH MONTANA is in fifth place with his runaway smash Unforgettable, with 1.1million copies sold. But he is only just ahead of CLEAN BANDIT’s hit Symphony featuring ZARA LARSSON, which has shifted 1.1million copies since it hit No1 in March.
IT is a 50/50 split of British versus international acts in the Top 20. IT is a 50/50 split of British versus international acts in the Top 20. DJ KHALED is one of the most successful US artists on the list though, with his Justin Bieber, QUAVO and CHANCE THE RAPPER song, I’m The One, at No10 and his RIHANNA and BRYSON TILLER tune, Wild Thoughts, at No14.
TAY ON TOP AT EMA
TAYLOR SWIFT has only released two songs this year but she leads the pack with six nominations for the MTV EMA, including the Best Artist, Best Pop and the Best Video categories.
Here’s hoping that is enough to persuade her to sing at the ceremony at London’s SSE Wembley Arena on November 12.
SHAWN MENDES is up for five gongs, ED SHEERAN and KENDRICK LAMAR nominated for four, and breakthrough Brit DUA LIPA is up for three.
LITTLE MIX have sadly been snubbed, though, only being shortlisted for the Best UK and Ireland Act.
If they take to the stage for one of their amazing performances, Little Mix will be the real winners.
