Bob Dylan has confirmed he will not travel to Sweden to receive his Nobel Prize for Literature in person.

The singer sent a “personal letter” to the Swedish Academy, which awards the Nobel prizes, saying he was unable to attend December’s Nobel ceremony “due to pre-existing commitments”.

Image source Wikipedia

According to the Swedish Academy, Bob Dylan felt “very honored” and wished he could receive the prize personally.

He is required to give a Nobel lecture between now and next June.

Bob Dylan, 75, will not be the first recipient of the prestigious award to have been a no-show at the Nobel prize-giving ceremony.

Harold Pinter and Doris Lessing, winners of the prize in 2005 and 2007 respectively, were among others who did not attend the event.

The Academy said in statement: “The prize still belongs to them, just as it belongs to Bob Dylan.

“We look forward to Bob Dylan’s Nobel lecture, which he must give – it is the only requirement – within six months counting from December 10, 2016.”

Bob Dylan was awarded the prize “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”.

The Nobel Prize award ceremony and banquet will be held in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.