Alesha Dixon and 5ive pull out of Brexit gig

Acts cancel performances Alesha Dixon on discovering that BPop Live gig a few days before referendum is endorsed by Leave.EU

Alesha Dixon has joined boyband 5ive in pulling out of a gig after discovering it is a political rally.

Both acts had been billed to join Sister Sledge and East 17 at the Bpoplive gig in Birmingham days before the 23 June EU referendum.

But they have withdrawn after discovering the gig is being put on by the Leave.EU campaign, which was founded by businessman and Ukip donor Arron Banks.

The concert has already been hit by a number of line-up changes as acts discovered its political nature.

Drum’n’bass act Sigma pulled out, telling BuzzFeed they were “in no way supporting the event” when asked if they were in favour of Britain voting to leave the EU.

Dixon, a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, announced she had pulled out of the gig hours after 5ive declared they had.

Her management said: “When Alesha was approached to perform at this event it was on the understanding that this was a multi-artist pop concert in a fantastic venue in the heart of the UK and Alesha would be there purely as an entertainer.

“It has now come to light that this is more of a political rally with entertainment included and we have decided to withdraw Alesha from the event. We wish to apologise to any fans who may have purchased tickets for this event. I would like to make it clear that Alesha has no political allegiances either way on this issue.”

Earlier on Tuesday, 5ive had announced two of its members – Ritchie Neville and Scott Robinson – had cancelled their performance. The band’s third member, Sean Conlon, was never due to perform at the gig because he was not available.

In a statement 5ive said: “When Rich and Scott agreed to play the event they understood that it was a pop concert funded by one of the Brexit organisations and not a political rally. As it has come to light that this is more of a political rally with entertainment included they have both decided to cancel their involvement.

“They would like to make it clear that as a band 5ive has no political allegiances or opinions for either side. Their allegiance is first and foremost to their fans.”