July 20, 2010 16:34

The xx invite ex-member Baria Qureshi to join them at Mercury Prize ceremony The xx Tickets

London trio say door is open to former member

Photo Gallery: The xx
Photo: Tom Oxley

The xx have said they are happy for former band member Baria Qureshi to join them at this September's Barclaycard Mercury Prize awards ceremony, following today's (July 20) news that their self-titled debut album has been nominated for the gong.

Qureshi quit the band last November, with singer Romy Madley Croft citing "personal differences" as one of the reasons for the departure. Speaking at today's nominations ceremony in London, band member Oliver Sim invited Qureshi to join them on the night the prize is awarded.

"She has a place here, definitely. She's part of the album," Sim told NME, although he added that he did not know whether Qureshi would actually turn up.

He went on to claim that the band were shocked to find themselves up for the award, saying: "It's absolutely insane considering all the other artists [who are nominated], like Paul Weller. It's really mindblowing." He said that if the trio do go on to win the £20,000 cash prize, they will use the money to set up their own studio.

The winner of the 2010 Barclaycard Mercury Prize will be announced at a ceremony in London on September 7.

Listen to all the albums on the Mercury shortlist

You can buy all the albums from the Mercury Prize shortlist from Amazon.co.uk now.