Ashcroft manager explains stage walk-off

Richard Ashcroft's manager Jazz Summers has denied reports that the rocker stormed off stage during a festival appearance because of being annoyed by the crowd.

The former Verve frontman ended his set at Splendour in the Grass in Queensland, Australia following only 15 minutes on Sunday after giving the explanation that he was having issues with his voice.

Summers has insisted that the vocal problems were not an excuse but rather a serious matter that prevented Ashcroft from carrying on, reports the Daily Star.

"After three gigs in two days, including a two-hour show in Sydney on Saturday night, we knew Richard would have to look after his voice for the Splendour in the Grass set, so we cancelled all promotional activity for Sunday," he said in a statement.

"It wasn't until he got on stage on Sunday night at Splendour that he realised his voice wouldn't make it through the set."