Mumford And Sons pull out of BBC Music Awards

Mumford And Sons have pulled out of performing at the BBC Music Awards.

The rock band were due to perform at the ceremony on Thursday night but are on tour and say they have realised they cannot fit in two shows in one day.

They were set to join acts including One Direction, Little Mix and Ellie Goulding at the star-studded event at the Genting Arena in Birmingham.

But they are also scheduled to play the O2 Arena in London on Thursday and in a statement they said: "We're very sorry to say that we're not going to make it to the BBC Awards on Thursday. We're out on tour at the moment, and we've realised that we just can't make it work to do two shows in one day.

"It seemed like it would be possible a few weeks ago but the reality is we want to make sure those gigs in London are the very best they can be.

"So sorry to anyone who was looking forward to seeing us on the telly that night. Hope to see you out on the road some time."

The BBC said further artists added to the line-up will be announced soon.

Chart-toppers Ed Sheeran and Adele will vie with indie acts Foals and Jamie xx for the title of British artist of the year at the event.

Six artists are on the shortlist for the category, which also includes Florence And The Machine and Years And Years.

Prince and Taylor Swift are among those fighting it out to be crowned international artist of the year, alongside Irish singer Hozier, Foo Fighters, Major Lazer and The Weeknd.

Adele - who has smashed UK and US records with her third album, 25 - leads this year's ceremony with two nominations, with her BBC One special, Adele At The BBC, also up for BBC live performance of the year.

Florence Welch's Glastonbury appearance alongside her Machine bandmates has also been picked for the shortlist, as well as Lionel Richie's hit-packed set at Glastonbury, Jeff Lynne's ELO's Radio 2 In Concert, and two BBC Proms shows - Late Night With... BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio Xtra.

Chris Evans and Fearne Cotton will host the BBC Music Awards, now in its second year.