Gorillaz have finally been removed from the Mercury Music Prize shortlist.

On the day the shortlist was announced (24 July) bass player Murdoc likened the nomination to "carrying a dead albatross round your neck for eternity". "Mercury Award? Sounds a bit heavy man! Y'know sorta like carrying a dead albatross round your neck for eternity. No thanks man! Why don't you nominate some other poor Muppet!"

The following day bosses at the band's record company Parlophone told them that they must remain on the shortlist. Parlophone said that because the label put them forward, only the label can remove them from it.

Ananova reports that the band now claim their withdrawal has been accepted.