Allen 'too depressed' to fulfil role at book awards

British pop singer Lily Allen failed to show up for an important meeting as a book awards judge because she was too "depressed".

The 'Smile' star took on the role as a judge for the £30,000 (€37,874) Orange Prize for Fiction in December.

The competition is one of the UK's most prestigious literary awards for female authors with previous winners including novelists Zadie Smith and Lionel Shriver.

The 22-year-old did not turn up at an important meeting of the judging panel this month however, sending her mother, Alison Owen, along in her place.

A spokesman for the awards insists Allen had a valid reason for her absence, saying: "Actually, she was feeling depressed, but she did call us by phone."

Allen was recently rumoured to be receiving treatment for depression following her tragic miscarriage earlier this year.