Depeche Mode have revealed they turned down the opportunity to win a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Brits this year after learning that ITV had no intention of airing footage of them accepting the award.

The band, who return with new album 'Delta Machine' next week, spoke to The Sun about how they had been offered the chance to win a new award but declined the opportunity after realising they would not be treated the same way as other winners on the night. Starting off by saying, "Fuck the Brits", frontman Dave Gahan went on to explain what had happened between Depeche Mode and Brits organisers. "I will probably get someone in trouble, but we were told we were getting a new award this year. Most Influential Band In The Last 20 Years or something? Basically the old bastard, Lifetime Achievement Award and we said, 'Yes that’s cool'."

Then we heard through the grapevine ITV wouldn’t broadcast our segment. So we said, 'If they won’t play us on air, then we’re not going to be their most influential band.' How many other bands have had as many hits as us worldwide and been around for as long? Fuck them then and bollocks to it.

Winners at this year's Brit Awards included Ben Howard, One Direction, Mumford & Sons, Emeli Sande and Taylor Swift. The ceremony has been widely criticised by the likes of Noel Gallagher for being dull and boring.

Depeche Mode play two shows at London's O2 Arena on May 28 and 29. These are currently the only UK dates the band have announced as part of 34-date European tour which will include appearances at Rock Werchter Festival in Belgium (July 7), BBK Festival in Spain (July 11) and Optimus Alive Festival in Portugal (July 13). A North American tour will follow later in the year.