Lily Allen's MTV snub

Aug 17, 2007, 13:00 GMT

Lily Allen performs at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium in London, July 1, 2007. Allen was detained at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday for five hours, searched and had her U.S. working visa revoked. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

Lily Allen has been dropped from the MTV Video Music Awards.

The British pop star - who was banned from the US last month after having her visa revoked at Los Angeles airport - has been scrapped from the line-up for the Las Vegas ceremony on September 9 because of complications over her entry into the States.

A source said: "MTV were desperate to get Lily and they're furious with her visa situation. They've decided to pull the plug because they didn't want to leave it to the last minute to find out if she could or couldn't make it."

The 22-year-old singer - who had been due to perform with rappers Kanye West and Common and has been nominated for Best New Artist - has hired top law firm Sheridans to fight her case.

She said: "I am trying everything I can to sort this out. I don't like letting my fans down.

"It is my intention to play my American dates in September. This depends of the authorities granting me a new work visa."

Lily was questioned by immigration officers when she flew into Los Angeles from Australia about a police caution following a clash with a photographer in London in March.

The singer was locked in a cell for five hours and strip-searched before having her visa confiscated.

She has been ordered by US officials to take blood and urine tests in her bid to overturn the decision.

(C) BANG Media International