James Blunt says he is ‘relieved’ after backing out of legally altering his title to ‘Blunty McBluntface’ following public vote
James Blunt has backed out of legally changing his name to ‘Blunty McBluntface’.
The British singer vowed to make the change if his new album made it to number one in the charts – but it did not.
The 50-year-old re-released his 2004 Back To Bedlam and previously promised to change him name to ‘whatever the public wanted’ if the music reaches the top on Friday October 18.
However, he was saved by the album’s chart performance landing at number seven – well short of number one.
On Friday, Blunt appeared on Australia’s The Project and said he was ‘relieved’ he didn’t need to change his name.
‘I’m hugely relieved… That’s because if my album had gone to one I’d change their name to whatever the British public chose. They chose that’ he said.
James Blunt has backed out of legally changing his name to ‘Blunty McBluntface’, he explained while appearing on The Project on Friday night (pictured)
‘I’m happy because my wife promised to change her name to her maiden name’ he added, laughing.
Blunt joked that he would have chosen to call himself ‘Jimmy Spliff’ if he had the choice, and also listed off the name his children chose for him.
‘I have kids and they really wanted Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Pop Star’ the 5′ 8′ hitmaker added.
Blunt released Back To Bedlam two decades ago and the record featured huge hits such as You’re Beautiful, High, Wisemen, and Goodbye My Lover.
The album went on to reach the top spot on the UK albums chart for weeks and is now certified 10x Platinum.
In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Hampshire star is re-releasing the album and going on tour.
The reveal was made in the sketch video showing him trying to enter a Warner Music Group building, only to be stopped by the front desk as they wouldn’t accept his name as ‘James Blunt’.
He then tries to get in using a few of the top-contending names like ‘Jimmy Spliff,’ ‘Blames Junt,’ ‘Divock Origi,’ ‘James Cucking Funt,’ and ‘Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Pop Star Four Chord Song Machiney’ but they don’t work.
The British singer vowed to make the change if his new album made it to number one in the charts – but it did not
Looking deflated his final guess is then ‘Blunty McBluntface,’ and he is finally granted access.
He then mutters ‘People have no imagination,’ to which the front desk receptionist replies, ‘The people have spoken.’
In a video posted on his Instagram, the singer previously announced: ‘My name is James Blunt and you have the power to absolutely f**k my life.
‘I know you’ve heard the rumours, and they are true, I’m rereleasing my debut album Back To Bedlam on October 11. Something that has kept me consistently rich for the past 20 years.
‘So as a way to give back to you, my adoring public, if Back To Bedlam re-enters the charts at number one, I will legally change my name. What will I change it to? Well, it’s entirely up to you.
‘I’ve been called many things in my life, ‘the most hated man in pop,’ ‘annoying,’ ‘James Beige,’ I’ll let the people decide.’
He then added: ‘But if it doesn’t go to number one, I’m not changing my name, it’s safe to say this is the most important democratic moment of the year.’
James reiterated the same promise while appearing on Radio X’s Chris Moyles Show.
On Friday, Blunt appeared on Australia’s The Project and said he was ‘relieved’ he didn’t need to change his name
He said: ‘I have signed up to changing my name to whatever the public want – they can change my name.
‘It’s a genuine thing. I swear on my life and the life of my one fan – Brian from Glasgow – I will change my name should it hit number one.’
The singer continued: ‘Yeah. I swear on Brian’s life and my life. To whatever the public want – and of course the public are going to kind, they’re not going to go for anything that rhymes with Blunt are they?
‘But you know, as long as it’s not, you know, Blunty McBluntface.’
James explained to the radio host that it was a way to encourage fans to purchase the new album.
He revealed that High was the first chart-topping single, followed by the success of Wiseman and You’re Beautiful.
‘High was the first single,’ James said. ‘So we put out High, and that got a bit of radio visibility, all over Radio X at that stage – this is my natural home!’
He added: ‘And then we put Wisemen out, and the album got into the top 20 and then came the killer, You’re Beautiful, in 2005 at that stage, and the rest is a terrible, terrible history!’
The 20th anniversary reissue was released on October 11, and will include a number of unreleased songs including Standing All Alone, Close Your Eyes, Butterfly, and B-side track Sugar-Coated.
