50 Cent's Argos appearance cancelled following arrest

Rapper 50 Cent has cancelled an unlikely in-store appearance at a branch of Argos - after being charged with attacking his ex in the US.

The star had been due to attend a Birmingham store to promote his range of headphones as part of a UK visit.

But the appearance has now been cancelled due to what were said to be "unforeseen circumstances". The 37-year-old has been charged with domestic violence and four counts of vandalism and, if convicted, faces up to five years in prison.

He will appear in court on July 22 over the alleged incident which happened last month at the property of a woman with whom he had a child during a three-year relationship.

She has claimed he began destroying her property during an argument, and kicked her after breaking into a bedroom in which she was hiding.

The rapper, who whose hits include "In Da Club" and "Candy Shop", survived a number of gunshots prior to finding fame.

He had been lined up to appear at the Union Street branch of Argos in Birmingham on Monday.

PA