THE agent of former Blue band member Lee Ryan has hit back at claims that the singer turned up late, in an unfit state, refusing to sing at Bournemouth town centre nightspot The Landmarc.

The Echo reported that Landmarc booker Josh Simons was "furious" Lee Ryan had only revealed he could not sing minutes before he appeared on stage for an impromptu question-and-answer session.

The singer told disappointed fans he had a sore throat and feared a return of throat nodules.

He answered a few questions and posed for photographs with fans but refused to sing a note.

Josh Simons said the venue had been placed in a very difficult situation and they would not be re-booking him again.

But Lee Ryan's agent Billy Wood hit back angrily. He contacted the Echo and said the Landmarc comments were: "complete fabrication and lies".

He said the venue knew at lunchtime that day that Lee wouldn't be able to sing and agreed a £500 fee reduction if he just turned up to do a meet-and-greet.

"Lee woke up that day with a bad throat. Throat nodules are a serious problem and he certainly wasn't going to push his voice.

"I phoned the venue around midday and renegotiated the fee. I could have pulled that gig due to medical reasons but Lee didn't want to let his fans down. What's important here is that he was absolutely gutted that he couldn't sing. He has a single and an album to record and if he has no voice they won't happen.

"He has got to fly back to LA next week to speak to the doctor who performed the original throat surgery he had for nodules.

"I told the Landmarc Lee would meet and greet everyone in the building - which he did. Lee's not comfortable with things like that. In some situations he's quite a shy guy and nervous and would have preferred to be able to sing- he's got the voice of an angel.

"Lee Ryan's management is "more than happy for him to do another concert at Landmarc and for a very reduced fee. A lot of other artists wouldn't have gone at all but he travelled there from London and cut his fee by 20 per cent. To say he just turned up late unable to perform is just rubbish."

The Bournemouth gig was the first of a mini UK tour. Billy says they let every other venue know that afternoon that Lee would only be able to do meet and greets. Some venues had to cancel, as they were only suitable as performing venues.

"It's gutting for him because he's a performer. He has been to the doctors and has been advised not to sing. If he hasn't got the tools of his trade he cannot work."

"If Josh doesn't book him again someone else in Bournemouth will. He is bringing his single out in December and we are happy to give the Landmarc the pick of the first date prior to the tour - we would love to get him back."

But Josh Simons says it is the agent who is fabricating a story.

In a statement to the Echo he hit back and said: "There was no re-negotiation in regards to fees before the show: we paid top money for Lee Ryan in full up front. Lee was scheduled to sing at Landmarc. I am not planning to book Lee back - of course the agent has offered me another date.

"This is the second time we have been let down by this agent and Lee Ryan. When he pulled out of our show last time he was on the BIC stage the following night with Simon Webbe when this same agent told us he was in the US.

"This is just a case of an agent trying to save the artist's skin when they know they are in the wrong."