ALEX TURNER’s mic drop at the end of his 2014 acceptance speech was one of the most cringeworthy moments in Brit Awards history.

The Arctic Monkeys frontman still reckons he is too cool for the showpiece bash though.

12 The group will not be attending this year's Brit Awards Credit: Reuters

I can reveal that the Sheffield rockers, who are nominated for Best British Group, will snub the biggest night in UK music at London’s O2 on February 20. They are up against The 1975, Gorillaz, Little Mix and Years & Years in the category.

The lads will be flying out to Perth three days before their Australian tour kicks off on February 23, instead of rubbing shoulders with this year’s pop-heavy guest list featuring Liam Payne, Rita Ora and Craig David.

It will be the third time Alex and co have dodged the Brits. A source said: “There’s a massive lack of indie talent at this year’s awards. Bosses were relying on Arctic Monkeys bringing some old-school rock ’n’ roll to the bash.

"But the lads have decided the guest list wasn’t their bag or worth rearranging their flights to Australia for, even though there was a gap in their tour schedule. They were actually relieved their tour commitments meant they had a get-out.”

12 The band dressed up as country squires for the 2008 awards Credit: AP:Associated Press

The icy reception Arctic Monkeys have given the Brits will be a huge blow to organisers, who thought they had finally won the band over after getting them to open the awards five years ago.

Brits chairman Christian Tattersfield admitted at the time: “It took a lot of wining and dining on behalf of the Brits but it was my absolute priority to get Arctic Monkeys to perform.

“It helps that the Brit Awards is now seen as a credible event and is no longer the shambles it was four or five years ago.”

Awkward.

His comments came after Arctic Monkeys avoided the ceremony in 2006 when they nabbed Best Breakthrough — and again in 2007, despite scooping the double for Best Group and Best Album.

12 The icy reception Alex Turner and Arctic Monkeys have given the Brits will be a huge blow to organisers Credit: Rex Features

That year they sent acceptance videos of themselves dressed as characters from The Wizard Of Oz and Village People.

When the band did show in 2008 and won both gongs again, they took the mick dressed as country squires and delivered a sarcastic speech. TV bosses pulled the plug after an abusive tirade.

A spokeswoman for the band said of this year’s swerve: “The band unfortunately cannot attend the Brits this year but it’s due to the fact they’ll be in Australia at that time. They are doing production rehearsals prior to the Perth show. This is normal practice.”

Dodging a boozy bash for music practice? That’s not very rock ’n’ roll, Alex.

Lou back singing thongs

LOUISA Johnson has served a not-so-subtle reminder that she’s still making tunes – despite it coming up to a year without releasing new music.

12 Louisa treated fans to this cheeky snap

She dropped this throwback thong bikini shot from her 21st birthday in Bali, writing on Instagram: “Studio outfits ain’t cute so here’s some holiday spam.”

The 2015 X Factor champ split from Simon Cowell's Syco label last July after her last single Yes, ft 2 Chainz, peaked at No65 in the charts.

She has re-signed with Sony’s Ministry Of Sound label as she goes back to her dance roots. At least she’s got her Ibiza outfit sorted.

Theron... but it's a secret

BRAD Pitt's ex-bodyguard says the actor tried to hide his relationship with Charlize Theron from ex-wife Angelina, fearing she would kick off.

12 Brad Brit tried his best to keep his relationshop with Charlize a secret

The Sun told last week how the A-listers were all over each other at a showbiz do earlier this month – and Kris Herzog has confirmed: “At the minimum, they’re friends with benefits.”

Kris, owner of The Bodyguard Group of Beverly Hills, in an exclusive chat, said: “I spoke to Charlize about four months ago and she told me Sean Penn had introduced them.

“I know as a fact they’ve been together for the last four months. I’ve seen them once myself together. They’re definitely dating but they’re keeping it secret until they work out whether it’s going to be long-term.

“Everything Brad does is vetted through how it’s going to affect his relationship with Angelina. Because if he p***es her off, it’s going to f*** up their child custody situation.”

12 Brad will star in Quentin Tarantino's new movie alongside Margot Robbie and Leonardo DiCaprio

Brad stars in the new Quentin Tarantin flick Once Upon A Time In Hollywood alongside Margot Robbie and Leonardo DiCaprio.

It’s thought he first connected with Charlize shooting this watch ad six months ago, before they bonded over their adopted children. Ange won’t like that

Noel's push for new Boosh

BAKE Off’s resident goth Noel Fielding is cooking up a treat for fans hungry for more Mighty Boosh. I can reveal the comedian is bringing back the surreal cult classic with co-star Julian Barratt ­– 11 years after it last aired on BBC3.

12 Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt are bring back the Mighty Boosh Credit: Handout

The duo have been working on a new script for a special comeback episode. A source close to Julian said: “At the moment they’re working on a one-off. But after a decade of putting Mighty Boosh on ice their creative juices are in full flow. They have already got enough ideas for an entire new series.”

Until now, the closest fans have got to a Boosh revival is when Noel referenced it on The Great British Bake Off last October. Speaking to contestant Kim-Joy, who was baking a mermaid-themed pie, he said: “I played a merman once called Old Gregg.”

I hope Paul Hollywood is making a cameo.



Ruf justice

THE son of Queen drummer Roger Taylor has ignited an Oscars feud with Bradley Cooper, mocking him for failing to get a Best Director nod for his movie A Star is Born starring Lady Gaga.

12 Rufus poked fun at Bradley Cooper for not being nominated Credit: Rex Features

Rufus Taylor, who did backing vocals in rival movie Bohemian Rhapsody, wrote on Instagram: “Oh no, what a shame. . . ” with a crying laughing face and cheers emoji. The post was later deleted.



My bra will go on

IT’S not Lady Gaga behind those specs.

12 Celine has been putting together some showstopping outfits recently Credit: The Mega Agency

Celine Dion has turned trendsetter wearing a daring see-through boob tube and power suit as she turned heads at Paris Fashion Week last Friday.

My Bra Will Go On, later, perhaps.



Strictly Squirrel

WHAT goes on tour won’t stay on tour thanks to The Sun’s Strictly Squirrel. Our spy will be following the stars’ every move as they dance across the UK in their live stage shows.

12 Joe took a nasty tumble during one of the shows

Here’s the first weekly report on the celebs, dancers and judges’ backstage secrets.

STRICTLY champ Stacey Dooley was literally too hot to trot after a fan stole her, er, fan, from the corner of the stage at Arena Birmingham during the first live show on Friday. In future, she will keep one backstage.

FANS mobbed Faye Tozer as she left the after-party at Birmingham’s Malmaison hotel to buy cigs. The well-behaved celebs and dancers all made an early exit ahead of yesterday’s show.

YOUTUBE star Joe Sugg fell over in the middle of his dance with partner-turned-lover Dianne Buswell – but that didn’t stop the couple winning in Birmingham.

Judge Craig Revel-Horwood told a crew member he “rarely” goes down for breakfast while on tour to avoid being mobbed by adoring fans. He said: “There’s too many people.” But he was later spotted having a cheeky morning fag on the hotel balcony.

Take That tour

TAKE That have launched their official countdown until they embark on their 30th anniversary tour across the UK and Europe.

12 Take That are officially touring again in April Credit: Getty - Contributor

The band, who kick off in Sheffield on April 12, wrote on Twitter: “11 weeks until tour. Who’s ready?”



One-off Flack

CAROLINE Flack and AJ Pritchard were caught snogging at the NTAs, but it looks like that was a one-off – for now.

12 The pair are not planning to see each other any time soon Credit: Refer to Picture Desk

I’m told the pair have been texting since, with the Strictly pro mad about Caroline, but they have no immediate plans to see each other as AJ is away on the Strictly tour.

After her wild night out at the NTAs after-party on Tuesday, Caroline is currently getting some R&R at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire. She’s headed there with pals and her pooch Ruby – who she shares with ex-fiance Andrew Brady.

Nip slip

STEPS star Claire Richards almost exposed her nipple to the world in the video for new single Shame On You – until husband Reece came to the rescue.

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The clip shows Claire, who drops her debut solo album My Wildest Dreams on February 1, sitting naked in the bath.

She said: “I didn’t have a bra on and there was a little bit of a slip. I didn’t notice.

"We got an edit of the video back and I showed it to my husband and immediately he went, ‘Oh look, there’s your nipple’. He was the only one that noticed. It’s not there now, it’s gone.”

Caught out Bodyguard star Richard Madden had no fewer than six members of staff guarding his every move at Tuesday night’s NTA awards - even as he went to the toilet backstage after winning his best drama performance gong.

I’m A Celeb jungle babe Emily Atack is keeping schtum about her love life after winning over male admirers with her natural look in the TV camp. She said: ‘It’s, erm, well! I’m not going to kiss and tell yet . . . ’

Matt Lucas is playing the Billiard Marker – the role Kenny Everett made famous – in a new soundtrack recording of 1991 West End show The Hunting Of The Snark.

Country duo Ward Thomas will showcase brand new material from their upcoming album Restless Minds at London’s Megaro Bar on Tuesday

Paul O'Grady reckons he can’t afford to retire. The Blind Date host said: “As if I’m sitting on barrels of gold. I’ve got animals to feed. I enjoy it. What would I do, sit at home?”

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