Pop stars Westlife have stepped in at the last minute to save thousands of music fans from disappointment.

The Irish band, who have had a string of Number One singles, will be appearing at the Brighton Centre tomorrow in the Southern FM Music Jam. They are replacing the Artful Dodger's Craig David, who pulled out of the show yesterday.

Craig, who shot to Number Two in the charts last year with his debut single, Rewind, was due to top the bill at the music bash alongside the Wamdue Project, Fierce, Northern Line, Toploader and Nu Generation.

But the hotly tipped 18-year-old from Southampton cancelled to fly to Miami for a DJ convention instead. Southern FM bosses feared they would not find a replacement in time and were about to break the news to listeners when they received an unexpected call from Westlife.

Managing director Bob Hoad said: "We couldn't believe our luck. Westlife are one of the biggest boy bands in the country and yet they called up to

say they were more than happy to step in and help.

"We booked them to play the Music Jam last year when they were an unknown band and now they are coming back as our star act. They said they wanted to come back and thank their fans."

Tickets cost £12 from 0870 9009100.

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