BBC

Prodigy star puts his back into campaign

• 12th February 1999

The Prodigy's frontman Keith Flint is to lead a campaign to persuade world leaders to cancel Third World debts - by having its slogan tattooed across his back for the Brit Awards.

The Drop The Debt campaign will launch in Britain at Tuesday's ceremony with many of the star guests wearing badges to show their support.

Some are also thought to be planning to make onstage demonstrations - and now Flint has had Drop The Debt inscribed across his back.

Flint, who also has the word "Inflicted" across his stomach in gothic script, is well known for his tattoos and body piercing - but the tattoo on his back marks a first.

'Previously unsullied by ink'

A spokesman for the Prodigy's record company, XL, said: "His back was previously unsullied by ink. As far as I know, Drop The Debt attempts to replicate the 'Inflicted' typeface."

Pressure group Jubilee 2000 is behind the campaign, and has been talking to figures in the music industry for over a year about the campaign, which calls on the United Nations to cancel Third World debt - which it estimates totals around £11bn.

David Bowie, Oasis, Robbie Williams and Placebo have joined Luciano Pavarotti in backing Drop the Debt, and it has been reported U2 singer Bono and boxing legend Muhammad Ali will appear midway through the Brit Awards ceremony to lend their support.

Deputy director Adrian Lovett said: "There are various things that will be happening at the Brits. There's a little symbol of the campaign, a lapel chain, and most of the performers and many in the audience will be wearing them.

"We're hoping the menu cards will say something along the lines of 'The Brits back Jubilee 2000' and we're also hoping there will be a moment in the show in which it will feature."

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• Tattoo
• Keith Flint

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