Bass player leaves rock band Arctic Monkeys

A MEMBER of the record- breaking band the Arctic Monkeys who missed a recent international tour due to "fatigue" has now left the band for good, it emerged yesterday.

Bass player Andy Nicholson did not join the Sheffield-based four-piece on their North American tour, sparking speculation about his future.

A statement posted on the band's website has confirmed that his absence is permanent. "We are sad to tell everyone that Andy is no longer with the band," it said.

Nick O'Malley, who has been standing in for Nicholson, will continue to play with the band.

Their album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not became the fastest-selling debut in chart history last year, shifting more than 360,000 copies in its first week.