BLUR - ALBARN: 'WORKING WITH ALLEN WAS A BAD IDEA'

Former BLUR frontman DAMON ALBARN has scrapped plans to duet with pop star LILY ALLEN - because working with the singer would be a "bad idea". Albarn invited the Smile star to his recording studio intending to collaborate on new material last year (07). But Allen failed to be inspired by the 39-year-old's creative style and neither artist was able to deliver the lyrical goods. Albarn says, "The record label thought it would be a good idea. She came down to my studio and said normally she would just sit around and listen to a musician and come up with some ideas. "I jumped on the piano and played some mad stuff and she just looked at me - it didn't exactly go well. She's a really talented kid but it was a bad idea."