The Streets accused of theft

The Streets frontman Mike Skinner has been accused of taking the tune for new ballad Dry Your Eyes by songwriter Michael Gagliano.

Gagliano claims the score has been swiped from Yesterday And Today Pt1, a track he wrote last year and released under the name EPIC.

The Sun says he believes its distinctive string score has been used on Dry Your Eyes, which is out on Monday.

Gagliano told me: "Dry Your Eyes came on the radio one day and I couldn't believe it. I pointed at the radio and said: 'That's my song'.

"There's absolutely no doubt about it - listen to both and you can see exactly where he's got the tune from.

The only thing is, he hasn't contacted me, given me any credit - or offered to give me any royalties."

Gagliano makes his day-to-day living by being George Harrison in The Counterfeit Beatles, one of the world's biggest Beatles tribute bands.

He added: "I'm not taking legal action yet but I've signed a publishing deal with US label Rainbow and will be looking into the question of getting royalties from The Streets.

"To be honest, the money isn't an issue for me, I got into this game for the women. I would be happy if The Streets would give me the acknowledgment I deserve and credit me on the sleeve notes for the record."

Mike Skinner was unavailable for comment.
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