James: 'Blur nearly played Glastonbury'

Alex James has claimed that Blur were offered a headline slot at this year's Glastonbury festival.

The bassist also revealed that the 1990s Britpop outfit nearly reformed when they were asked to play the Worthy Farm bash.

"Blur very nearly played Glastonbury this year," James told The Independent. "There was a pang of regret when I heard Damon [Albarn]'s mum had nixed it at the 11th hour.

"I was looking forward to showing off to [my wife] Claire and the kids, but I suppose the important thing was to have been asked, and listening to all that screaming I felt pleased about how things had turned out."

He added: "I'm sure it'll happen one day."

Blur last headlined Glastonbury in 1998. They haven't released an album since 2003's Think Tank.