Finley Quaye, the reggae pop singer who won a Brit award for Best Male Solo in 1998 and a Mobo award the year before that, has been convicted of assault after headbutting a terminally ill friend for putting Game of Thrones before him.

Aren’t I more important than Games of Thrones?” he shouted at Julian Ashley, according to the Daily Star.

Prosecutor Alexa Morgan told Highbury Magistrates’ Court: “The victim has known the defendant for 30 years and is suffering from terminal cancer. He is frail and needs a mobility scooter and assistance at home.

“He was watching television when the defendant came to the door and after letting him in continued watching. The defendant took exception to that. He became abusive and lost his temper and Mr Ashley decided to escort him from the flat.”

“Without warning he headbutted Mr Ashley, causing a split to his nose and extensive bruising.”

42-year-old Quaye, best known for the songs ‘Sunday Shining’ and ‘Even After All’ was sentenced to 12-month probation, 250 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £620 in costs.

“I returned inside and sat with a wet cloth on my nose, which was bleeding, and called the police but declined an ambulance,” the victim said in a statement. “I’m shocked someone would do this to a person as ill as I am.”

The singer has 22 convictions, previously pleading guilty to spitting in a woman’s face and hitting her on the head as she waited for a bus and kicking a woman in the chest during a row with his ex-girlfriend.

Last year, he was ejected mid-set from a venue after playing meandering blues with no vocals.