Mercury Music Prize nominee Burial’s real identity is rumoured to be that of Norman Cook.

In an investigation by the Sun newspaper, the dubstep-pioneer’s true identity is being attempted to be unmasked prior to the Mercury Prize ceremony in September.

Alongside the alter-ego of Fatboy Slim, the paper also claims that the “musical equivalent to Banksy” could also be the more experimental artist, Aphex Twin.

Artists who attend the ceremony are required to play one of their songs live ahead of the revealing of the winner.

There has never been a case before in the ceremonies sixteen-year span in which the winner has not been there to pick up the award.

Burial is the bookies’ favourite to win the prestigious prize next month, ahead of Radiohead and The Last Shadow Puppets who are also among the likely winners.

(by Jamie Milton)