JAMIE CULLUM - CULLUM TO GET ARRESTED IN THE NAME OF JAZZ

British jazz star JAMIE CULLUM is making a stand against new British licensing laws - by staging an illegal gig in the hope he'll get arrested.

The feisty 26-year-old was enraged to learn of a new rule forcing pubs and clubs to pay $1,800 (GBP1,000) for a music licence allowing live gigs - or face a $35,000 (GBP20,000) fine and six months in jail.

Cullum insists the law will ruin working musicians, and he plans to cause a stir with his renegade gig - possibly costing his chosen venue a fortune in the process.

He fumes, "The law is something that absolutely disgusts me. It's so stupid.

"If this had been in force three years ago when all my gigs were as part of a duo in pizza restaurants, pubs and clubs, I wouldn't be doing what I am.

"So many of my musician friends have had their work halved because of this and are having to give up.

"I intend to do a gig with two of us playing in a bar and kick up a real stink by getting arrested."