It's terrible, heard it this morning on the way into work. 'Put a doll inside a doll'

It's probably because if his new album gets to No. 1 he'll match Elvis Presley's record for the most Number 1 albums for a male solo artist in the UK and level with Madonna's tally.

More Butlins than Brits that one.

You can blame Guy Chambers; he wrote it!

Really? Good lord.

It reminds me of a comedy song from an episode of 'Hale & Pace*'.

After they'd gone to ITV and turned rubbish.


*ask your parents, kids.

Most of his more memorable songs he has Guy Chambers to thank for. He's overrated as an artist. Gary Barlow much more deserves this accolade.

He has released some good Pop songs down the years and at his peak, when he was headlining Knebworth etc, he was a very good live artist too. Still not sure about receiving this accolade though when there are so many more deserving artists who never seem to be get such titles.

The likes of the already mentioned Kate Bush is a good shout but bands like Iron Maiden and Def Leppard have achieved way more than the likes of Robbie and yet don't get mentioned at such awards. Maybe they are not fussed personally to be honoured by the Brits but as a matter of principle, they surely should be.

Sorry; Robbie who?

Robbie Williams. He's released a few songs, had a few hits, ring any bells?

So do I, but only because they keep giving awards to the same names. That's the problem. If they opened it up a bit like I suggest, the Brits could be revived. They've really slumped over the years. They were never truly cutting edge, but giving so many awards to Robbie Williams and completely ignoring other hugely successful British acts has turned them into a laughing stock to me.

That's a sad reflection on British music over the last 20 years. Elvis and Madonna are worldwide music icons and two of the most influential performers of all time. Robbie isn't in their league when it comes to an impact on music worldwide.

Hard rock and metal bands, no matter how successful, rarely seem to figure in these awards. Which indicates a bias on the part of the shadowy figures behind the scenes. The only time such a band has been truly recognised by the Brits for their impact was when The Who, one of the archetypal early hard rock bands, was awarded an Outstanding Contribution back in the '80s. But most of the others have been passed over.

I do find it weird how some of the most successful and influential heavy rock/metal and electronic acts Britain has produced are consistently ignored by the Brits, while they give so many awards to Robbie.

Well he's getting a BRIT award for outstanding contribution to Britain so not sure any of that is relevant.

No, he's getting the Brits Icon, not the outstanding contribution to Britain award.

I would still maintain there are more iconic British performers than him. The fact he's equal to Elvis and Madonna in terms of number one albums is just astounding. The wider world doesn't regard Robbie Williams as one of Britain's greatest ever artists, that's my point.

"It is only presented to artists whose writing, recording and performances have set them apart as having made a lasting impact on British culture, recognising the very highest level of achievement in music."

It is a BRIT award, the clue is sort of in the title.

He's not in Elton or Bowie's league, but he is one of the biggest British acts of the last 20 years so I think it's a fair one - though yes, odd to come so soon after his last special award.

The highest level of achievement is becoming a worldwide superstar, which many British acts have done more successfully than Robbie, who famously flopped when his record company tried to promote him in America, which has always been the holy grail for British artists. But the Americans couldn't be arsed with him.

Then there are acts like Paul Weller or Roxy Music, who never became big in America but were hugely influential on the next generation of musicians, therefore becoming iconic in a different way.

Then there's Robbie, who isn't really either.

According to who?

According to sales figures. It's not difficult to work that out. It's a commercial industry.

No you misunderstand. According to who is the Icons award only for those who have achieved world success?

I think we all know that the Brits have always awarded the best-selling acts of a particular year. British music is renowned worldwide for its global reach and influence. Robbie, while undoubtedly a very successful artist, is not in the league of some other British acts who have been hitherto ignored.

So according to no-one then? The Brits website doesn't seem to mention worldwide success so I don't see how it is at all relevant. They are recognising him for his success in Britain not the World.

Parochialism then. That's the way to go.

And to think we've given the world some of its greatest acts and all we can do is keep giving awards to Robbie Williams.

It's a BRIT award, not a World award.

The Brit is actually short for British Phonographic Industry. It represents acts that come from Britain, not just acts that sell records in Britain.