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James Blunt quips boozy tour rider is 'research' for his pub

James Blunt at the BFI London Film Festival 2019 credit:Bang Showbiz
James Blunt at the BFI London Film Festival 2019 credit:Bang Showbiz

James Blunt will be "taste-testing" beers on the road.

The 'You're Beautiful' hitmaker and owner of West London boozer The Fox & Pheasant has landed a new TV role on Amazon Prime's 'Beer Masters', which sees him and beer connoisseur Jaega Wise, plus judges model Daisy Lowe and DJ-and-entrepreneur Jamal Edwards, pick the best home brews.

And the 47-year-old singer has revealed he'll have "all different beers" on his rider for him and his bandmates on his 2022 run, which he quipped is for "research" purposes for his pub.

Speaking to The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column, the former Army officer - who releases the greatest hits collection 'James Blunt The Stars Beneath My Feet (2004-2021)' next week - said of the show: “I never knew how much I could reveal but I wanted to jump from the rooftops and say, ‘I’ve got a TV show!"

The 'High' hitmaker joked that the only reason he was picked for the job was because 'Who Wants to be A Millionaire' host Jeremy Clarkson was busy.

He continued: “When I was offered the job I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I understood they needed someone good looking, bright and knew their s*** about beer . . . and that’s why they’ve got Jaega. Then they thought, ‘we need a sidekick’. Jeremy Clarkson wasn’t available, so they got me.

“Jaega is the expert but I have practical experience of beer drinking on tours throughout the world. Surely, I’m more than qualified.”

On his boozy tour riders, the 'Carry You Home' star added: “When I first opened the pub I asked my mates, ‘What are your favourite drinks, We’ll stock it’. Now I want to bring in new beers.

“My rider with the band will have all different beers and if we like them I will stock them.

“I am doing research on the ground while I am working as a touring musician. It is genuinely so much fun.”