While the other Brit Award nominees were putting their finishing touches to their make-up, Seasick Steve opted to busk inside Earls Court tube station before the ceremony.

The 67-year-old blues singer, who was nominated in the Best International Male category, even flouted London's Underground's strict alcohol ban by swigging from a whisky bottle as startled commuters passed by.

According to the Daily Mirror, he joked to those watching: "I heard you're not allowed to drink but I think I'm gonna need a few.

“I'm not playing at the awards - I'm going to be drinking. What else do you do at these things?"

(by Scott Colothan)