James Blunt is renowned for his humour as much as his music, but his latest fan-driven stunt has left him with some regret. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Back to Bedlam, Blunt promised to legally change his name to whatever fans decided if the re-release hit No. 1. Unfortunately, fans with a mischievous sense of humour overwhelmingly voted for “Blunty McBluntface,” a direct reference to the viral Boaty McBoatface debacle from 2016.
Blunt’s decision to offer fans such creative control was intended to be a fun engagement strategy. In his characteristic style, he encouraged them to suggest and vote on names, leading to thousands of votes on social media. However, as the results came in, Blunt jokingly admitted he felt “stupid” and began to have second thoughts.
A Public Name Change?
The re-released album, initially topping out at No. 4, still has a shot at reaching the No. 1 spot. But Blunt, while maintaining his good humour, is now hoping it doesn’t. He openly shared how his wife isn’t thrilled about the idea, and he jokingly stated she might revert to her maiden name if he becomes “Blunty McBluntface”.
Fans’ Reactions
The stunt has, of course, delighted fans, with many praising Blunt for his sense of humour. The viral name competition has drawn considerable attention to the album, with some fans calling it “brilliant” and “legendary.” Others can’t wait to see whether the name change becomes a reality, though Blunt would surely prefer to keep things as they are.
