Notorious rocker Shane MacGowan, due to headline at the Trowbridge Village Pump Festival this July, has been pulled from the bill.

The news has disappointed fans who have followed MacGowan, who is as famous for his off-stage antics as his music, since he first appeared with The Pogues in the 1980s. Many were hoping to see him with teeth, after reports that he had finally had dental work on his mouthful of rotting stumps.

An announcement on the Pump’s website said: “Unfortunately Shane MacGowan’s agent has had to withdraw all the upcoming tour on the grounds of his lack of confidence in Shane’s ability to guarantee his satisfactory attendance at his gigs. An apology to those who wished to see him.”

MacGowan, who led a line-up which also includes Loudon Wainwright III, Alabama 3, the Saw Doctors, Seth Lakeman, Ade Edmonson and the Bad Shepherds and Hazmat Modine, is replaced by Senegalese star Baaba Maal for Sunday night’s headline spot. Maal was a big hit last July when he headlined at WOMAD, and has just released a new album, Television, as well as appearing recently on Later with Jools Holland.

“This is an act totally in keeping with what Trowbridge is all about and there will not be a family member that will not be swaying and rocking to the explosive sounds coming from the band,” said Pump spokesman Phil Reuben. “We feel certain you will be delighted with him.”

The singer and guitarist is one of his country’s best-known international acts.

l Tickets for the Village Pump, which runs at its usual Stowford Manor Farm, Wingfield, venue from July 23-26, are available online at www.trowbridgefestival.co.

uk/booking and by post until June 30 (download a booking form from the website). The four-day ticket is £105 adults, £52.50 for 10-15-year-olds, before July 1.