The Specials' reunion was brought about by an unlikely mediator - Lily Allen.

The band reformed after their successful appearance at Britain's Bestival show in September - the first time the original group had played together since their 1981 split.

And despite numerous attempts to reform during the 1990s, it was Allen's 2007 appearance at Glastonbury that set reformation plans in motion - after she invited front man Terry Hall and singer/guitarist Lynval Golding to join her on stage.

Golding praised Allen for persuading the band to re-group.

He said, "Lily does what she does brilliantly. She helped push us back together when she got Terry (Hall) back with Neville (Staple) at Glastonbury in 2007.

"She played a massive part in it. I love her to bits."

(by Daniel Melia)