Bookies lose £100,000 after Paul Weller BRITs win
Star's pre-recorded interview 'suggests there was a tip-off', says spokesman
UK bookmakers lost £100,000 as a result of Paul Weller winning the BRIT Award for Best British Solo Male Artist on Wednesday (February 18).
Prior to the bash, all BRIT Awards bets were suspended in bookmakers including William Hill, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power after a flurry of suspicious bets on Weller winning were placed within a short space of time of each other.
Seven men placed several bets in outlets in London and Guildford - near to Weller's Woking birthplace - prior to the awards.
A William Hill spokesman said the company believes that they may have been tipped off about who would win the category. He also said it is unlikely that the bookmaker will accept BRIT Awards bets next year.
"It was our music department's worst night for years," the spokesman told The Sun. "It's highly unlikely we'll be betting on the BRITs again as there is no doubt the results are circulating up to a week before.
"The fact Paul's' interview was pre-recorded suggests people had been tipped off," the spokesman continued.
Despite Weller pre-recording his acceptance speech for the award, he is not believed to be involved in the scam.
A BRIT Awards spokesman said: "Every precaution is taken to keep results under lock and key."
Prior to the bash, all BRIT Awards bets were suspended in bookmakers including William Hill, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power after a flurry of suspicious bets on Weller winning were placed within a short space of time of each other.
Seven men placed several bets in outlets in London and Guildford - near to Weller's Woking birthplace - prior to the awards.
A William Hill spokesman said the company believes that they may have been tipped off about who would win the category. He also said it is unlikely that the bookmaker will accept BRIT Awards bets next year.
"It was our music department's worst night for years," the spokesman told The Sun. "It's highly unlikely we'll be betting on the BRITs again as there is no doubt the results are circulating up to a week before.
"The fact Paul's' interview was pre-recorded suggests people had been tipped off," the spokesman continued.
Despite Weller pre-recording his acceptance speech for the award, he is not believed to be involved in the scam.
A BRIT Awards spokesman said: "Every precaution is taken to keep results under lock and key."
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