Singer Astro leaves UB40

Singer Astro has announced this afternoon that he has left UB40.

Astro, whose real name is Terence Wilson, was one of the founding members of the group and is the third to leave following lead singer Ali Campbell and keyboard player Micky Virtue. He described the feeling of the band after Ali and Micky left as, "like a rudderless ship".

The band had great success in the 80s and 90s but have recently faced financial difficulties.

In a statement Astro said, "After a well-documented turbulent few years I feel that it is time to draw a line in the sand and move on."