Neck Deep guitarist quits band over 'explicit messages' claim

The guitarist from pop punk group Neck Deep has quit the five-piece band following accusations that he sent sexually explicit messages to an underage fan.

The band confirmed that musician Lloyd Roberts had stepped down from the award-winning band amid claims.

Neck Deep, who are originally from Wrexham, are placed at No 8 in the UK albums chart with Life's Not Out To Get You and are due to play the Reading and Leeds Festivals this weekend.

After initially tweeting to fans that they were taking the accusations "very seriously", Neck Deep later issued a further statement on Sunday confirming that they had parted ways with Roberts so as not to be "sullied further".

The band's statement also added: "We cannot emphasise enough that serious allegations of this kind should ALWAYS be brought to the attention of the relevant authorities, and we urge anyone genuinely affected to use those official channels. "

Neck Deep were named best British newcomer at the Kerrang Awards and were described on the Reading and Leeds Festivals website as being "poised on the brink of certain Stateside superstardom".

All shows are set to go ahead as planned.