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James forced to pull out of Belladrum headline slot as Tim Booth loses voice

Steve McKenzieHighlands and Islands reporter, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
News imageGetty Images A bald man with a goatee singing into a microphoneGetty Images
Festival organisers said James frontman Tim Booth had lost his voice

Manchester indie band James have been forced to pull out of their headline set at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival after frontman Tim Booth lost his voice.

Festival producer Dougie Brown said it was rare to lose a headliner.

Razorlight stepped in to fill the slot, while Scots singer Cammy Barnes played spot on the main stage.

More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the event, near Beauly, between Thursday and Saturday.

Brown said health came first and recognised James fans would be disappointed.

Barnes played Bella on Thursday and was asked to take Razorlight's slot due to the crowd he drew.

He was in Glasgow when he got the call. He is due to perform at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony later.

Barnes told the Belladrum crowd it was a "dream" to be asked step in on Saturday night, and he paid tribute to James.

News imageCammy Barnes playing the Hot House stage
Cammy Barnes stepped into Razorlight's slot on the Hot House line-up

Booth posted a video of himself on James's social media accounts, speaking in a deep gravelly voice and wrapped in a large poncho.

He said it was with "deep regret" that the band had to cancel their slot, which they hardly ever resorted to.

He said: "I've been fighting off a viral infection for a few days and I've finally lost my voice – this deep, sexy rasp is not my usual voice – and I can no longer sing."

James have two other tour dates this month - next week in Portugal and in Norwich on 20 August.

Speaking to BBC Scotland News on Saturday morning, bassist Jim Glennie said the band had been looking forward to returning to Bella for the first time since 2013.

He said the Belladrum crowd was always special, adding: "They bring the party to you and all you need to bring is the soundtrack."

The Belladrum weekend saw performances on the Hot House main stage by Callum Beattie, Mika, The Human League, Rizzle Kicks, Scouting for Girls, Torridon and Skerryvore.

Music fans arrived at the site earlier for the final day, dressed to the festival's annual theme - party animals.

There is coverage of Belladrum on BBC Alba and iPlayer.