James Blunt admits he's done 'stupid thing' with name change deal (original) (raw)

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James Blunt has admitted it was "stupid" promising to let fans pick a new name for him if his album tops the charts.

The singer is re-releasing his 2004 debut studio album Back To Bedlam to mark its 20th anniversary, and has told fans that if it gets to number one he will legally change his name to the most popular one selected by the public. He shared a few of the suggestions on The One Show, with Blunty McBluntface — a nod to Boaty McBoatface, the name picked for a polar research vessel after a poll — a contender.

But he confessed that he hopes he gets to keep his own moniker.

What, how and why?

Host Alex Jones brought it up, suggesting Blunt had done "a mad thing". "A stupid thing," he replied.

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"The British public are a kind people, and so the suggestions have been something to look forward to," he went on. "My favourite so far I suppose is Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Pop Star Forecourt Song Machiney. Jimmy Smith I would go with but you know the British public and the one that is leading is Blunty McBluntface."

Wanna ruin my life? I'm legally changing my name if "Back to Bedlam" 20th Anniversary Edition reaches No.1. Comment your name suggestions below, and the most-liked comment wins.#jameswho pic.twitter.com/LOxLggNt5q

— James Blunt (@JamesBlunt) October 2, 2024

"I had to explain to my children that James Blunt might be no more," said the star, who has two sons.

"I am hopeful, I am hopeful that I will be able to keep my name," he said. He joked: "My children shed a tear last night and I told them, 'Don't worry, you'll still have to call me Sir'."

What else did James Blunt say on The One Show?

Blunt also talked about the first time the album topped the charts, confessing that he was "really frightened" as it meant he would change from being a musician to being a celebrity.

Back To Bedlam — which includes hits such as You’re Beautiful and Goodbye My Lover — reached the top of the charts in 2004, propelling Blunt to stardom. However, he said that at the time he had been expecting number two.

James Blunt said it was scary going to number one for the first time. (BBC screengrab)

"Yeah it was amazing," he said. "I got the phone call from my radio rep at Atlantic Records to say the album and the song have gone to number one and it made me really frightened because I thought, I expected to be just a musician and number two, that was what I was expecting.

"But number one and you kind of change from being a musician to celebrity and that was really frightening. And yes, you just get a bit more visible than you'd like."

The One Show airs at 7pm on BBC One every week night.