February 28, 2013 12:47

Biffy Clyro turned down offer to write for Leona Lewis

Simon Neil was also asked to play guitar for Robbie Williams

Photo: Andy Willsher/NME

Biffy Clyro have revealed that they declined an offer to write songs for Leona Lewis.

The band, who performed and took home the prize for Best British Band at last night's NME Awards, said they were not keen on the idea of signing up to give their songs away in case they wrote a track they wanted to keep for their own albums.

"Writing for others is something I'd love to do once we slow down as a band. But if you write a song that you think is one of the best ever, and it's not for our band, I don't know if I'd be happy giving it away," frontman Simon Neil told the Daily Star.

"We got asked to have a writing session with Leona Lewis and play on Robbie Williams' record." He added: "I'm a wee bit selfish about it, plus we've got enough side-projects, so we've got other outlets. It's a beautiful thing to sit and write songs all day." Robbie Williams asked frontman Simon Neil to play guitar on his latest solo album 'Take The Crown', but hired former Guns N' Roses axeman Slash instead when the offer was declined.

Meanwhile, Biffy Clyro have been announced as the latest headliners of Reading and Leeds Festivals 2013.

See Readingfestival.com and Leedsfestival.com for more information about next summer's events.

To check the availability of Reading and Leeds Festivals tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0871 230 1094.

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