Hucknall severs Simply Red ties

Musician Mick Hucknall has vowed never to perform his biggest hits again - because he is desperate to rid himself of his Simply Red connections.

The star, 47, has refused to sing hits such as 'Money's Too Tight To Mention' and For 'Your Babies' after the band's tour next year, because he wants to carve out a solo career.

He explains: "I didn't want to perform the songs any more because I'm attracted to the idea of doing things differently, doing things my way. So in 2010 my ambitions are to begin a new career using my own name.

"People won't any longer be saying is it a band or is it Simply Red. Now they will know what it says on the tin. It will be me performing these things with a band behind me."