The Darkness dropped by record label

British rockers The Darkness have been dropped by their record label in the wake of frontman Justin Hawkins' departure.

The I Believe In a Thing Called Love star has been clean of cocaine and alcohol for nine weeks after going into rehab in August, and decided he just can't live the rock 'n' roll lifestyle any more.

Hawkins' former bandmates - including his guitarist brother Dan - planned to continue without him, despite poor sales of second album One Way Ticket to Hell and Back.

However Atlantic Records executives have now ditched the depleted Darkness.