Musician Morrissey has avoided a potentially fiery situation in Oslo after refusing to appear at a press conference prior to the Nobel Peace Prize Concert.
The former singer for The Smiths was booked to perform on Wednesday night at the Oslo concert, but could have faced some potentially uncomfortable questions about comments he made about the Norwegian massacre in August 2011.
The controversial star compared the Utoya killings to a meat market only a few days after the massacre in which 77 people lost their lives. However, Norwegian media were not be given the chance to question him about his remarks as he snubbed a question-and-answer session in the build-up to the concert.
Among the other stars who performed in Oslo on Wednesday were James Blunt and Mary J. Blige, both of whom attended the press conference. However, organisers confirmed that Morrissey had declined the chance to explain his comments and would only make an on-stage appearance in the Norwegian capital.
It is the second time in a matter of days Morrissey fans have been left disappointed after it emerged that Thursday’s proposed book-signing session in New York wouldn’t take place because of a miscommunication between the store’s management and the singer.