Chris Brown rep: 'Criminal record had nothing to do with Michael Jackson tribute no-show'

Chris Brown has hit back at reports suggesting his criminal record kept him from performing at the Michael Jackson tribute show in Wales at the weekend (08Oct11), insisting scheduling problems forced him to pull the plug on his performance.

Chris Brown was a no-show at the spectacular, which featured appearances from Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Alien Ant Farm. Reports suggested he was forced to pull out of the show after he was denied a work visa by British officials.

The R&B star was allegedly barred from entering the U.K. due to his 2009 assault conviction following an attack on his then-girlfriend Rihanna.

But Chris Brown's management have hit back at the rumour.

The singer's representative tells TMZ.com, "His previously booked domestic (U.S.) F.A.M.E. tour concert dates didn’t allow him to accept the honour, and therefore he never planned to go to the U.K. He was not banned."

Instead, Chris Brown spent the weekend playing shows in Tampa and North Carolina.