No more bets on a Brit for Paul Weller

Paul Weller, aka 'the Modfather', has become embroiled in a suspected betting scam in advance of this year's Brit Awards, which take place in London on Wednesday. Earlier today a flurry of bets was placed on the founder of 1970s punk rock band The Jam, who is up for the Best Male Solo Artist award, at various William Hill betting shops, a situation that saw his odds cut from 5/1 outsider to 1/5 favourite. William Hill acted quickly, suspending any further bets.

Other major bookmakers, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and Tote, have followed suit, believing that the betters were acting on inside information. The Brits are judged by a Voting Academy of 1,000 people from the music industry whose votes are collected online before being counted and independently verified by official scrutinisers. A Brits spokesman would not say who had access to the results, adding: "Every precaution is taken to keep results under lock and key."

Weller is up against Ian Brown, formerly of the Stone Roses, James Morrison, The Streets and Will Young. However, punters can still place a bet on who is likely to win the Best Single, the only award voted for by the public. Girls Aloud head the list at 13/8, with Duffy 7/4, Coldplay 3/1, Leona Lewis 8/1 and Scouting For Girls 14/1. ·