Melody Plant

James Blunt survived the frontline of a Balkan war – but now faces emergency surgery on an injured pinky.

The former NATO peacekeeper needs an operation on the little finger on his right hand if he wants to play the piano properly again. He snapped the digit when he was mobbed by crazed fans at a gig in Asheville, North Carolina, last month. Docs need to break then reset the finger before putting it in plaster.

And that’s not spiffing news for posh James.

The singer can still play the guitar perfectly but his skills tinkling the ivories are now more Eric Morecambe than Elton John.

There will be a few sniggers from the trendy music crowd delighted by his troubles. But whatever your musical taste, there’s no denying that his piano-playing pinky has helped shift millions of records.

Former Army captain James said last night: “I need it to be right but the idea of having them take a hammer and smash my finger into two isn’t so thrilling.”

Recalling the accident, he said: “I jumped off stage at the end of the gig and was chased by women, and even some men, in the crowd. I started running and the next thing I knew I had broken my finger. I don’t even know how I did it or what made me do it. I can’t play the piano but I can still play the guitar with my remaining fingers. It was a funny moment being chased, but when I got back on stage it was nerve-racking looking down and realising the finger was pointing the wrong way. Upon reflection, it was dumb to jump into the crowd but in a way it was my own fault. I had leather-soled shoes on and just slipped.”

Before getting into music, James had a successful military career.It included a stint in the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo, from which he came back unharmed. But not even the might of the evil Serb army could prepare him for legions of crazed Bluntites.

If you’ve ever seen the women at one of his gigs, you’ll know what I mean. Starched collars and rosie cheeks all round.

Beforehand everyone seems normal as fans talk about their new Porsches, boyfriends and favourite Beaujolais. But once he begins to coo You’re Beautiful (for the millionth time) they turn into a ravenous, blood-thirsty mob. And if James ever dares enter the crowd then it really becomes scary stuff, as shown by the Asheville scrum.

Sadly, the singer’s gruelling tour schedule means he cannot get the urgent surgery he needs just yet.

Not wanting to let fans down, he will continue playing shows in Japan, New Zealand and Australia while waiting for a gap in his schedule to get things fixed, with a pal filling in on keyboards.

James added: “I need it fixed. I need all my fingers to work properly. Not just for performing but for partying.”

Get well soon, James — for the sake of female Bluntites everywhere.