Snoots Get Their Way: Lily Allen Leaves Orange Prize Jury

Lily Allen had the literary world in a tizzy last year when she was chosen to serve on the jury of the Orange Prize for Fiction. But the "Smile" songstress will no longer be a source of consternation for the literary snoots: She's calling in sick. She withdrew "by mutual consent" from the Orange's judging panel, blaming ill health. According to BBC News, she recently had a miscarriage, which may have contributed to the decision (all of the snobby vitriol couldn't have helped either!). One of Ms. Allen's reps told the BBC: "Rather than do a disservice to what she sees as an incredible array of female literary talent, it has been agreed that she will withdraw before the final judging takes place." The big winner, who will receive a £30,000 prize, will be announced on June 4.