POP fans across the country have been left heartbroken today following the news that Busted have split up.Following months of speculation about the long-term future of the group Woodbridge-born Charlie Simpson has quit and forced the band to confirm the news fans were dreading.

POP fans across the country have been left heartbroken today following the news that Busted have split up.

Following months of speculation about the long-term future of the group Woodbridge-born Charlie Simpson has quit and forced the band to confirm the news fans were dreading.

Charlie, who attended Framlingham College before finding fame with the chart-topping trio, has long made it known that his heart is not in pop music and he has gradually given more and more time to his rock side project, Fightstar.

His decision today to leave Busted has been made to allow him to concentrate full time on Fightstar with who he will be setting off on a UK tour tomorrow.

In a statement on their website Charlie, 19, said: "I'm incredibly proud of everything that we've achieved in Busted.

"We've enjoyed some of the best times in our lives together. I wouldn't change one single bit of it.

"This has been a really difficult decision and I hope the fans will understand."

Charlie's departure from Busted is the sole cause for the break up of the band and it has been reported that his bandmates James Bourne and Matt Willis had tried to persuade him to reconsider his decision.

However, they have come to respect his choice and were set to explain all in a televised press conference.

In the website statement James said: "I'm devastated that Charlie has chosen to quit Busted, but I have to respect his decision and I fully support him and wish him all the best for the future.

"I would like to say a personal thank you to all the fans who have made the last three years the best years of my life. I'll remember these years forever."

Matt added: "It's a really sad day for all of us but we've always said that if one member left then we'd call it a day.

"The last three years have been unbelievable and I'd like to say a massive thank you to all our fans - you've been amazing."

In the past two years Busted have become household names, notching up eight top three hits including four number ones. Meanwhile both Busted albums, 2002's Busted and 2003's A Present For Everyone, clocked up over one million sales each.

The trio won Best Pop Act and Best Breakthrough Act at the 2004 BRIT awards as well as being nominated for Best British Group. Most recently they topped the charts with the theme to the Thunderbirds movie, which was voted last year's Record Of The Year.

In the course of their career Busted sold out 50 UK arenas including 11 Wembleys and last year they sold more Wembleys than any other artist, equalling the all time record and consolidating their position as the biggest and best pop act in the UK.

And last summer, Charlie brought the band to perform in Ipswich's Christchurch Park for his one and only homecoming gig as a member of Busted.

Their recent failed attempt to crack the notoriously difficult American market saw the trio transformed into reality TV stars as MTV cameras followed them around the country. It was hoped that the exposure of the subsequent show, America or Busted, would help their bid.

Weblink: www.busted.com

www.fightstarmusic.com