Dizzee Rascal has pulled out of this weekend’s Sandance festival, citing medical reasons. Instead the chart-topping rapper, who along with Fatboy Slim was seen at the season finale’s top-draw, has been replaced on the Friday May 4 bill by fellow rhyme-smith Tinchy Stryder.

Stryder topped the UK charts twice in 2009 with hits ‘Number 1’, alongside teeny-rappers N’Dubz, and ‘Never Leave You’. However, his 2010 LP Third Strike charted at just number 48, but he did win a Mobo last year for Best Video.

Rascal has four UK number one singles and five hit albums to date. As a pioneer of the burgeoning grime genre, he has picked up a string of awards including the coveted Mercury Prize, an NME Award for innovation and a Brit Award for Best Male.

Rascal is reported to be recovering from a recent minor operation and has been advised by doctors not to perform. Sandance organisers are hoping to bring him over to perform later in the year.

To soften the blow to fans, the Sandance team have also added quirky Irish electro-house duo The Japanese Popstars and BBC Radio One DJ Zane Lowe, who performed at last month’s Sandance alongside Kaiser Chiefs, to the bill.

Rascal fans seeking a refund should call 04 426 0600.