Justin Hawkins Leaves The Darkness

Sad to hear today that Justin is to leave the Darkness due to his addiction problems. We were aware that Justin had spent some time in the Priory, a rehabilitation centre, after signing himself in which is very commendable. We know people who are closer to Justin and this is a very sad news as he really is a wonderful person and very much a family man. It just goes to show how drugs are real killer when it comes to anything, relationships, careers and in the worst cases, even lives.

Justin has admitted to having an addiction and says, "I feel bad for the others (in the band)," he told The Sun newspaper. "It will be an upheaval. But it's time for me to move on. It would be damaging to my recovery to stay on. I'm not blaming the band for my problem - I am an addict. There are people who can be in bands and stay clean, but I'm not one of them."

In August, Hawkins entered rehab; at the time, the band insisted it would hit the studio as soon as he felt up to it and that rumors it had been dropped by Atlantic Records were false.

"We're sorry that you had to find this out through the newspapers, but we were hoping until the last minute that this — Justin's exit — wasn't going to happen," the remaining band members wrote. "We — Dan, Ed and Richie — are still in total shock and can't say at this stage what the future holds. You will hear from us, once we know what we want to do."

Well, let's hope that he pulls through it. I have already sent supportive messages to him through the management and we will be publishing the photos of Justin's finished guitar once we get it back from clear/polish so we'll keep you posted.

As for Justin, he told the Sun he plans to stay busy with a solo album and writing film music.