Radiohead's Colin Greenwood told Gigwise in an exclusive interview last night that the band would be “embarrassed” to win the Mercury Prize.

“The music’s great, the line-up’s really strong and diverse, so just to be included is pretty special,” Greenwood said at the awards show.

“But Radiohead are not new, so we're being involved in something we don’t feel we should be.”

Radiohead recently returned from a huge tour of the US and Canada, from which bassist Greenwood seemed a little groggy.

“This is my big night out,” he said, “but I've got a head cold! I think I caught it from my kids.”

“I already miss touring.” Colin admitted. He said of their time away: “It was wonderful. We played a cricket match with the crew and everyone in Vancouver.

"And Thom and Johnny played a cover of a Neil Young song, ‘After The Gold Rush’, in LA two weeks ago, in front of Americans and they didn’t lynch us!”

Radiohead have received multiple nominations for the Mercury Prize over the years, but last night were yet again beaten by Mancunian five-piece Elbow.

The band embark on a tour of Japan in October.

(by Hazel Sheffield)