The Darkness News

The Darkness have cancelled a string of upcoming live shows and confirmed that frontman Justin Hawkins is in rehab.

It was announced yesterday that the singer's doctor had advised Hawkins to take two weeks off from the band, amid suggestions that he was battling drug or alcohol addiction.

While there has been no official confirmation on the star's condition, the group have confirmed he is being treated in a clinic and pulled a number of imminent concerts.

In a lengthy statement, the group, who have insisted this does not signal the end of the Darkness, said: "As everybody found out today, Justin has been admitted to a rehabilitation clinic.

"We would, however, like to make it clear that this emphatically does not signal the end for the Darkness, nor are their label considering 'dropping' them. On the contrary they have taken up their option with the band and are looking forward to releasing the Darkness's third album in early 2007.

"We are not here to comment on Justin's private life--or anyone else's for that matter--but he is feeling better already and as soon as he is ready we will be going straight into the studio to begin recording album number three.

"We hope you would join us in wishing Justin well--and it is for you to judge if a platinum album, headlining and co-headlining sold=out shows across the U.K., Continental Europe, and Australia to an audience of thousands of adoring fans can ever be considered a failure."