Chris Brown banned from UK

London - Chris Brown has been banned from entering the UK.

The singer - who was convicted of assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 - had been due to perform at the Michael Jackson tribute concert in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday. But has been refused a work visa because of his criminal history.

It had been suggested that Chris perform as a hologram at the Michael Forever concert - as Beyoncé Knowles is scheduled to - by US but organisers decided against it.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "It would put a negative slant on the day. The family wants to make sure the show is a fitting tribute to Michael."

Personal thing

Chris, 21, was sentenced to five years probation and six months of community service for his assault on Rihanna, which took place in Las Vegas.

Following the assault, Rihanna said she didn't expect to ever talk to Chris again, although she did consent to have a restraining order against him relaxed, so he could more easily carry on with his career.

She said: "We don't have to talk again ever in my life. I just didn't want to make it more difficult for him professionally.

"What he did to me was a personal thing. It had nothing to do with his career. Saying he has to be a hundred feet away from me, he can't perform at awards shows, that definitely made it difficult for him. That was the only thing it was going to change, so I didn't care."

However, the pair are rumoured to have recently reconnected through twitter.