Chart-topping singer Dido had her nomination for a British best-newcomer award revoked Wednesday, after officials realized she wasn’t that new after all. The singer, who rose to stardom after rapper Eminem chose her song “Thank You” as the backing track to his chart-topper “Stan,” was nominated Monday in the category for a Brit Award, Britain’s equivalent of the Grammys.
Observers pointed out that the 30-year-old Dido, whose real name is Florian Cloud De Bounevialle Armstrong, had been nominated for best female artist the previous year.
The Official U.K. Charts Company, which compiled the list of eligible artists, said Wednesday it had made a mistake and apologized to Dido, her record company, the Brits and listeners of British Broadcasting Corp.’s Radio 1, who vote on the winner from the list of nominees.
Dido said the mistake didn’t bother her.
“I think it’s quite funny. It’s so silly,” she told Radio 1. “You just don’t question it. If you’re given a nomination, you don’t think ‘Oh, am I eligible?’ You just don’t know the rules. I don’t know if anyone knows the rules.”
Dido is still up for best video, best female solo artist and best album, for “No Angel.”
The awards ceremony is set for Feb. 20 at London’s Earl’s Court.
