I hold no brief whatsoever (as any fule kno) for Smoothops, but the fact is that they produce for the BBC exactly what the R2 Controller (whoever that is now) tells them to put on the tin: namely an Awards ceremony of vaguely f*lk-tinged music that reflects part of that network's output.

This, of course, is why it can be uncomfortably mainstream and way behind the times of what's actually occurring on the ground. Having said that, this year's nominations reflect reality rather more closely than previous years in which, particularly as far as the Horizon is concerned, tends to be a vaguely embarrassing catch-up process. That's why, although I'd like to root for Bella Hardy this year, I'll have to back Jackie Oates who ought to have won it long before now.

I know I'll regret asking this, but how in the name of any deity of choice, could a soft-rock, singer-songwriter duo possibly be a candidate (even by Smoothie rules) for a Best Dance Band award?