September 8, 2009 12:08

Friendly Fires' Jack Savidge admitted to hospital on eve of Mercury Prize

'No idea whether I'm gonna be able to play at the Mercurys,' he admits

Photo Gallery: Friendly Fires
Photo: Rachel Carr

Friendly Fires' Jack Savidge has been admitted to hospital ahead of tonight's (September 8) Barclaycard Mercury Prize.

The drummer used Twitter to explain that he was being taken to hospital yesterday (September 7), and admitted that he is concerned he might miss the Barclaycard Mercury Prize ceremony, which takes place in London this evening.

Friendly Fires are nominated to win the £20,000 cash prize alongside the likes of La Roux, Florence And The Machine and Kasabian. The band are also due to perform at the ceremony tonight.

"Admitted to hospital with a fever and darkside purple rash on my leg. No idea whether I'm gonna be able to play at the Mercurys tomorrow," Savidge initially posted.

He followed that up with several other Tweets explaining that he was biding his time in hospital by playing Word Mole and reading magazines.

Savidge also voiced his regrets at not placing a bet on fellow nominees The Horrors to win the Barclaycard Mercury Prize.

"Horrors were 25/1 before the nominations were announced. Really kicking myself I didn't get on that," he wrote.

NME.COM will be coming live from the Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2009 ceremony in London tonight. Keep checking back for all the latest news as the event unfolds.

Who deserves to win the Mercury?? Have your say at the NME office blog now.

Plus read the NME's predictions for who will win the 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize now.

Photo Gallery - Your guide to the Mercury nominees