Blunt Brands Labour MP 'Prejudiced Wazzock'

James Blunt has called the shadow culture minister a "classist gimp" after he used the singer's "privileged background" as an example of a lack of diversity in the arts.

Labour MP Chris Bryant said the industry must try to hire people from all backgrounds and not just have a "culture dominated by Eddie Redmayne and James Blunt and their ilk".

Redmayne, who went to Eton College, was nominated for an Oscar last week.

In a letter published in The Guardian, Blunt, who was educated at Harrow before serving in the Army, said his background had actually been "against him succeeding in the music business".

The You're Beautiful singer explained it was his own hard work and determination that had caused him to succeed, despite his schooling, military service and accent.

He accused Mr Bryant of being a "prejudiced wazzock" who is teaching a "politics of jealousy".

"It is your populist, envy-based, vote-hunting ideas which make our country c***, far more than me and my s*** songs, and my plummy accent."

Blunt signs off his letter by saying "up yours".

In an interview with The Guardian at the weekend Mr Bryant said Labour would try to address a "cultural drought" in areas outside the South East.

"Where are the Albert Finneys and the Glenda Jacksons? They came through a meritocratic system.

"But it wasn't just that. It was also that the writers were writing stuff for them. So is the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, doing that kind of gritty drama, which reflects [the country] more?

"We can’t just have Downton programming ad infinitum and think that just because we’ve got some people in the servants’ hall, somehow or other we've done our duty by gritty drama," he said.

On Monday afternoon Mr Bryant replied to Blunt's letter, telling him to "stop being so blooming precious".

He emphasised that his comments were made to highlight the lack of funding for aspiring artists and that "barriers" need to be broken down.

There has been much interest in the backgrounds of some of Britain's biggest stars recently.

Benedict Cumberbatch, who was also nominated for an Oscar, has voiced concerns about being "castigated" for his public school background, while The Walking Dead star David Morrissey has been among those who have expressed a view that the acting business was becoming the preserve of the wealthy.