Organisers of this year's Brit Awards have cancelled 1,000 phone votes given to Irish boyband Westlife in the Best Pop Act category.
The votes were deducted after they were found to have been made from just three phone lines.
Westlife, who won the Best Pop Act at last year's Brit awards, are up against Kylie Minogue, S Club 7, Hear'Say and Blue in the category this year.
A spokesperson for the awards ruled out a record company plot, saying "I think it's just their over-obsessive fans".
Phone lines will remain open until Monday, two days before the awards ceremony on Wednesday 20 February.
