Diddy takes the P out

The artist formerly known as Sean Combs has changed his name for the umpteenth time.

P Diddy has dropped the P, and as of today will be known simply as Diddy.

Fans could be forgiven for losing track of the rap star’s moniker. In recent years he has evolved from Puffy to Puff Daddy to P Diddy.

He admits the changes were starting to baffle even himself.

“Nobody knew what to call me,” he told the New York Post. “I’d notice that people were uncomfortable when I’d meet them for the first time, and then they’d ask me what they should call me.

“I even started to get confused myself – and when I’d called someone on the telephone it took me a long time to explain who I was. Too long.”

The latest reincarnation was made to “simplify things”, he said. “One word. Five letters. Period.”

The change forms part of a publicity campaign for the MTV Awards, which Diddy is hosting later this month.