THE JAM - WELLER ALMOST REFUSED LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Former THE JAM and THE STYLE COUNCIL frontman PAUL WELLER almost turned down his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Brits last month (FEB06), because he can't stand the people who voted for him. The YOU DO SOMETHING TO ME hitmaker accepts his music career, which spans three decades, deserves recognition, but resents being added to a list of other musicians he doesn't respect. He says, "I did (think twice before accepting the Brit Award). I think it means more to my fans, my family. "When you think that the Brits board is made up of record company big shots you do think twice. "I saw a list of previous winners, and, apart from THE WHO they've all been utter s**te. "It's been a long time. It'll be 30 years next year since the first record. It is a lifetime and it is an achievement. Where does it go? It's just - pffft! - gone."