Depeche Mode refused to be honoured at the BRITs.

The electronic music pioneers were due to be presented with a brand new award for their contribution to music after the The Outstanding Achievement was scrapped, but were so furious when they found out their set wasn't going to be broadcast on ITV that they snubbed the ceremony.

Singer Dave Gahan ranted to The Sun newspaper: ''F**k the BRITs. Let me tell you a story. I will probably get someone in trouble, but we were told we were getting a new award this year. Most Influential Band In The Last 20 Years or something? Basically the old b*****d, Lifetime Achievement Award - and we said, yes, that's cool.

''Then we heard through the grapevine ITV wouldn't broadcast our segment. So we said, 'If they won't play us on air, then we're not going to be their most influential band.'

''How many other bands have had as many hits as us worldwide and been around for as long? F**k them then and b******s to it.''

The Outstanding Achievement award has been won by the likes of Blur, Sir Paul McCartney and Oasis in the past but was dropped this year in favour of a Special Recognition award, which was given to charity War Child. The band previously said they felt slighted to never have been presented with it, and weren't sure whether they would accept it.

Depeche Mode - who have sold over 100 million records in their 30 year career - have put the incident behind them to focus on the release of their 13th studio album, 'Delta Machine'.

Dave said: ''We bands always say this one's good when we put a record out, but I knew this really was when I was writing and demoing songs in my little studio.

''I've been writing with Kurt Uenala, a guy who worked with me on my vocals on [solo album] 'Hourglass'. He brings out the best in me.''