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Snoop and Diddy cancel UK shows Snoop and Diddy cancel UK shows
(20 minutes later)
US rappers Snoop Dogg and P Diddy have cancelled joint concerts in the UK after Snoop Dogg was denied a visa. US rappers Snoop Dogg and P Diddy have been forced to cancel a joint UK tour after Snoop Dogg was denied a visa.
A tour spokesman said the shows were cancelled after "credible behind the scenes efforts were made to no avail to reverse the decision". The shows were called off after "credible behind the scenes efforts were made to no avail to reverse the decision", a tour spokesperson said.
The musicians were "incredibly disappointed and devastated", he added. The stars had been due to perform in London on Tuesday, followed by Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow and Nottingham. The tour will resume in Dublin on 31 March.
They had been due to perform in London on Tuesday, then Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow and Nottingham. Ticket-holders can get refunds at point of purchase. Ticket holders can get refunds from the original place of purchase.
The tour resumes in Dublin, with shows on 31 March and 1 April. "With late notice of Snoop being denied a visa, time has ran out and it is too late reconfigure the show," the spokesperson said.
'Devastated'
The musicians were "incredibly disappointed and devastated", she added.
"They really did not want to let fans down this way as the UK was a planned highlight of the tour.
"However, this ultimately was a situation out of their control."
Snoop Dogg had hoped the government would reconsider his visa after he said he was promoting a message of non-violence to children and would make a donation to an anti-violence charity.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it could not comment on individual cases.
FrustrationFrustration
In an interview with MTV in Amsterdam, Snoop Dogg - whose real name is Calvin Broadus - expressed his frustration at the UK authorities' late decision to deny him a visa.In an interview with MTV in Amsterdam, Snoop Dogg - whose real name is Calvin Broadus - expressed his frustration at the UK authorities' late decision to deny him a visa.
"They knew I was coming six, seven weeks ago, so they could have denied me access then," he said."They knew I was coming six, seven weeks ago, so they could have denied me access then," he said.
He added: "I cannot control my past - me being an ex-gang member, ex-drug dealer - but I know how to do what's right, how to turn my life around." "I cannot control my past - me being an ex-gang member, ex-drug dealer - but I know how to do what's right, how to turn my life around."
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said it cannot comment on individual cases. The visa decision follows a string of run-ins with the law.
The artists' spokesman said: "They really did not want to let fans down this way as the UK was a planned highlight of the tour.
"However, this ultimately was a situation out of their control."
US charges
He said it had been hoped "the government would reconsider Snoop's visa in light of assurances made".
The 35-year-old musician is currently facing weapons and drugs charges in the US stemming from three separate arrests in 2006.The 35-year-old musician is currently facing weapons and drugs charges in the US stemming from three separate arrests in 2006.
Earlier this month, he was held overnight by police in Sweden on suspicion of using drugs.Earlier this month, he was held overnight by police in Sweden on suspicion of using drugs.
He was cautioned by UK police last year after being arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and affray at Heathrow Airport.He was cautioned by UK police last year after being arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and affray at Heathrow Airport.
Snoop Dogg came to prominence as part of the 1990s gangsta rap scene, scoring hits including What's My Name? and Gin and Juice.Snoop Dogg came to prominence as part of the 1990s gangsta rap scene, scoring hits including What's My Name? and Gin and Juice.