Darkness star arrested in NYPD mistaken identity

Glam rocker Justin Hawkins of The Darkness was detained by police at New York’s JFK airport when they mistook him for a wanted criminal, it emerged today.

The band’s lead singer and guitarist was in the Big Apple for a photo shoot for Spin magazine earlier this week when he was detained, his publicist said.

Police thought they had found an on-the-run criminal, who is also called Justin Hawkins and bears a resemblance to the long-haired star.

He was released after two hours when his manager showed officers a tour schedule which proved Hawkins was in Britain on July 4, when the alleged crime was committed.

The Darkness, whose hits include I Believe In A Thing Called Love, shot to fame this year and their album Permission to Land was a best seller.

The band also played an acclaimed opening spot at the Glastonbury music festival in the summer.

Their unique brand of tongue-in-cheek power rock has led to comparisons with legendary rock band Queen.

Meanwhile, the band caused consternation in the sleepy Suffolk town of Southwold after saying they wanted to move there.

Jennifer Hursell, the clerk of the town council, told the Daily Telegraph: “People come to Southwold for a quiet time.

“They don’t come to play their electric guitars on the beach. The whole thing is nonsense.”

Albert Smith, 77, added: “The last thing we need is some kind of heavy metal noise. It would spoil the town’s character.”