Justin Hawkins has let it be known that he is quitting The Darkness, due to his previously reported drink and drug addictions. Following a recent stay at The Priory, Hawkins told The Sun: "I feel bad for the others. It will be an upheaval. But it's time for me to move on. It would be damaging to my recovery to stay on. I'm not blaming the band for my problem - I am an addict. There are people who can be in bands and stay clean, but I'm not one of them."
Speaking of his addiction to cocaine, he continued: "I feel like I've lost three years of my life. I'm only just coming to terms with what has happened because I was always off my face. I became secretive, volatile and verbally abusive, a really unpleasant person to be around."
The Darkness will continue without their former frontman, and bassist Richie Edwards, who, you'll remember, replaced Frankie Poullain following his ejection from the band, will take over the role of vocalist. Hawkins says he is going to concentrate on solo work and music for films. I bet that Frankie Poullain is sniggering into his sleeve.