James Blunt May Change Name to 'Blunty McBluntface'
You may remember when, back in 2016, the UK's Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) asked the public to help name a new $260 million research boat.
There were some good suggestions, but the winning name was one that had become a viral joke: Boaty McBoatface.
The NERC, worried about its credibility, chose to name the boat after naturalist David Attenborough, but used the name Boaty McBoatface for a small submarine that works on the ship.
Years later, British singer James Blunt has turned to the public with a similar request in the lead-up to the re-release of his 2004 album, Back to Bedlam.
"If the 20th Anniversary Edition of my album Back to Bedlam re-enters the charts at number one, I will legally change my name — to whatever you guys decide," Blunt said in a video posted on social media on October 2.
Blunt announced the winning name nine days later, on the same day he re-released the album.
Some may say he should have seen it coming. The name the public has chosen is — you've guessed it — Blunty McBluntface.
Blunt called the choice "a little predictable," but has promised he will honor the public's choice and legally change his name to Blunty McBluntface — but only if the album reaches number one on the charts by October 18.
Blunt has previously made some small changes to his name.
His legal name is James Hillier Blount, but he started going by "James Blunt" when he began his musical career because he thought it would be easier for people to spell — "Blount" is pronounced the same as "Blunt."
Back to Bedlam was re-released on October 11 with all the original songs — including hit singles "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover" — and some previously unreleased ones.
Blunt will also begin a Back to Bedlam 20th Anniversary Tour in February 2025, with concerts in different parts of Europe and North America.
