Busted confirm split

Boyband Busted broke up today after rattling out a string of top five singles since bursting on to the music scene in 2002.

Blond singer Charlie Simpson told his fans: “I have quit Busted” – but added that it had been an amazing three years.

The 19-year-old said he wanted to devote his energies to his new rock group, Fightstar.

Simpson, a favourite with legions of female fans, said: “There has been a lot of speculation in the last month about the future of the band. It’s only fair to the fans to set the record straight now.”

With his two band mates, Matt Jay and James Bourne, both 21, sitting on either side of him at a press conference in central London, he confirmed: “I have quit Busted.”

He added: “I’d like to say that I’ve been slightly concerned about the things I’ve read in the press recently saying that the band hasn’t got on and I’m embarrassed about being in the band. I’d like to quash those rumours. I’ve had the most amazing three years.”

Thanking his fans, he added that his colleagues were “two of my best friends and amazing band mates. I wish them all the best for the future”.

Busted shot to fame in September 2002 with the single What I go to School for.