Tim Rice says he may never work with Andrew Lloyd Webber again after the composer's songs are 'ditched' from their show

Andrew Lloyd Webber disputes Rice's account and points the finger at the show's producers, Donald and Eva Rice, who are Tim Rice's own children. He says they told him further work was needed, which would have been 'impossible' with his schedule. He also claims he was asked to 'sign away' his rights for five years. The show, 'Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas', returns at Alexandra Palace next month.

Rice says Lloyd Webber 'basically withdrew his score' and 'didn't want to continue'.

Rice's jibe: Lloyd Webber is 'more concerned with much bigger productions'.

The murder mystery was the pair's first collaboration in 40 years.