In all seriousness, Nigel, I genuinely submit that there was some quality songwriting on Take That's latest album; and one can't deny Gary Barlow has a great voice. There's actually been a great deal of musical development, even sophistication, creep in since their boyband days.

On the wider issue of public opinion, my perception is that the Brits are more of an industry stitch-up than anything...OK, maybe Joe Punch-Clock gets his say in the final vote, but it's the industry which determines who's on the shortlist in the first place...a bit like those "elections" in Communist countries where you mcan vote for who you like...as long as they're Party-approved.