EMINEM IN 'KKK' CONTROVERSY

Gay rights protesters have branded EMINEM's BRIT AWARD nomination "the moral equivalent of honouring a KU KLUX KLAN singer", and plan to protest outside this evening's event.

Eminem is nominated for 'Best International Male Solo Artist' at tonight's Brits ceremony (February 26), and he will also perform live at the event.

Campaigners opposed to Eminem's lyrical content will protest from 6pm this evening at the Earl's Court venue. A small number of protesters were at the controversial rapper's last London show earlier in the month.

Protest co-organiser Peter Tatchell said: "This nomination is the moral equivalent of honouring a Ku Klux Klan singer... Eminem would never have been nominated for an award if his abusive, violent lyrics targeted black people."

In other Eminem news, MTV reports that his duet with Elton John on 'Stan' from this year's Grammy Awards may be released as a single in the US. Some of the proceeds from the re-released single would be donated to MusiCares, a charity which offers financial assistance to musicians.

The track, in which John sings the vocal part originally sung by Dido, appeared on Napster within hours of the ceremony ending, and has also been aired on various US radio stations.