It's been announced that the Lighthouse Family has split up after almost 30 years together - just weeks before they were to headline a festival.
The duo - which consisted of singer Tunde Baiyewu and keyboardist Paul Tucker, both 53 - had formed as a band in 1993 and are best known for songs including High and Lifted.
But it was announced on social media that the group have now disbanded, with Paul stating that his bandmate Tunde wants to focus on solo projects instead.
He also apologised to fans, because the news comes just weeks before Lighthouse Family had been due to headline the Mouth of the Tyne Festival in Tynemouth next month.
He wrote in a message to fans on social media yesterday: "I'm so sad to let you know that after almost thirty years we have reached the end of our Lighthouse Family journey."
"Having set off from our little basement studio in Newcastle in 1993, it's been an incredible adventure beyond our wildest dreams. Thank you for all your love and support through the years. We could not have done it without you," he added.
Paul then apologised over the impact of such, writing to fans: "I'm so sorry that this means that our headline show at Mouth of the Tyne Festival on July 9th is now cancelled."
Paul continued in the recent post: "I have tried everything with our agents and promoters over the last few weeks to make this work but we just couldn't get it over the line."
He said: "Tunde now wants to focus on his solo career and I wish him all the best." Paul added: "I would like to say sorry to the promoters and to all of you who have tickets for this show and have waited through the last two years."
The keyboardist continued: "I was really looking forward to this hometown show and playing our songs in this amazing place close to the lighthouses that gave us our name."
He concluded the post by writing: "I am as disappointed as you are. It breaks my heart to let you down."
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The Mouth of the Tyne festival - which runs from July 8 to 10 this year - is organised by North Tyneside Council, with support from EQUANS, BBC Radio Newcastle and Port of Tyne.
The line-up this year includes Keane headling on July 8, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor having top billing for the final day, July 10. Lighthouse Family had been due to headline on July 9.
Festival organisers said on social media that they hope to announce a new headline artist for the Saturday night and assured that customers will be contacted about refunds.
In a statement, Carl Johnson, the deputy mayor of North Tyneside, said those involved are "extremely disappointed" over the news about the Lighthouse Family disbanding.
He said: "We were extremely disappointed to hear that the Lighthouse Family are no longer performing together and will be unable to play their headline slot at [the festival].
"A sell-out audience have held on to their tickets throughout the pandemic, and like us, they were looking forward to the performance.
"However, the decision to pull out of the show has been made by the band leaving us all bitterly disappointed."
The Mirror approached Tunde for comment.
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