"...There have been other public votes apart form the one in 2004 - the following year for example Whapweasel were chosen by public vote..."


They stopped the Best Live Act from being the one the public voted for because a band they didn't want to win, won.

They then went on to have a public vote for Best Dance Band, I believe, knowing, of course, that the band they didn't want to win couldn't get voted for that one, because....they're not a dance band.

The public vote has never again been allowed to be for Best Live Act, nor will it, because.....the very band they don't want to win, will do so, instead of the band the 'judges' continue to vote for, year upon year......

I think it's called 'favouritism'....and it's only permitted if Smooth Ops and The Folk Mafia so wish it...