Yahoo Finance Alesha Dixon Pulls Out Of Brexit Concert
Alesha Dixon and boyband 5ive have pulled out of a Brexit concert after realising it was "more of a political rally".
Dixon, a singer and Britain's Got Talent Judge, as well as 5ive members Ritchie Neville and Scott Robinson had been among headline acts at the event endorsed by Leave.EU.
They were due to appear with East 17, Sister Sledge, Gwen Dickey from Rose Royce, and "top Leave campaigners for the final rally of the referendum rally" which included UKIP leader Nigel Farage, Liam Fox and Kate Hoey.
However, after discovering the extent of the event, Dixon, Neville and Robinson decided to pull out of the BPop Live gig which is scheduled to take place in Birmingham four days before the 23 June referendum.
A statement by Dixon's management said: "When Alesha was approached to perform at this event it was on the understanding that this was a multi-artist pop concert in a fantastic venue in the heart of the UK and Alesha would be there purely as an entertainer.
"It has now come to light that this is more of a political rally with entertainment included and we have decided to withdraw Alesha from the event.
"We wish to apologise to any fans who may have purchased tickets for this event. I would like to make it clear that Alesha has no political allegiances either way on this issue."
A statement released on behalf of the 5ive pair said: "When Rich and Scott agreed to play the event they understood that it was a pop concert funded by one of the Brexit organisations and not a political rally.
"As it has come to light that this is more a political rally with entertainment included they have both decided to cancel their involvement.
"They would like to make it clear that as a band Five have no political allegiances or opinions for either side. Their allegiance is first and foremost to their fans."
Neville has posted tweets saying he felt the arguments he had heard regarding the EU were one-sided and he wanted them to be more balanced.
It seems they may not be the only acts on the bill who are unaware the gig at Birmingham’s Gentry Arena is a full political rally.
The drum and bass duo Sigma pulled out of a similar concert planned for 8 May at the same venue after discovering it was a Brexit event.
They said they hadn't realised the event was endorsed by Leave.EU and they were pro-EU.
When asked, the management team for East 17 said the band "did not comment on views regarding politics".
Sky News has contacted representatives for the other artists expected to perform next month and are awaiting responses.
The music events were originally intended to encourage younger people to vote in the June referendum.
Head of communications for Leave.EU Ann Wigmore said: "We are delighted to be endorsing this event which we believe will be a fantastic finale to the referendum campaign."
The website for the event promises that more acts will be announced but also warns "this is a multi-artist show line-up subject to change".
It comes as the Britain Stronger In Europe campaign group was criticised for its attempt to capture young voters with a video set to a house music sound track and flashing up the words "workin, ravin, chattin, roamin" before asking views to do some "votin".
The video was called patronising and a disaster on Twitter. Emma Brooke pointed out: "You do know that young people still use the letter 'g' right?"
