THE SMITHS - MORRISSEY ATTACKS RECORD COMPANY OVER FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT

THE SMITHS' former frontman MORRISSEY is locked in a bitter war of words with his record label SANCTUARY - insisting they announced he'd be performing at next month's (JUN05) ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL without asking him.

The 46-year-old singer is furious the music giant mistakenly stated he would be performing at the rock event, because it forced him to disappoint fans by telling them he wouldn't appear at the British extravaganza, because he's too busy preparing his new album YOU ARE THE QUARRY.

He fumes, "I have not ever, at any time, agreed to play the Isle of Wight Festival.

"The announcement was made by Sanctuary and it was their error.

"However record companies never take the blame for their mistakes."