Five split after 4 years and 3 No 1 hits

The chart-topping boy band Five became none yesterday when they announced their decision to split up. Putting a philosophical bent on it, they said in a statement they could "no longer do justice to our fans or to each other".

The chart-topping boy band Five became none yesterday when they announced their decision to split up. Putting a philosophical bent on it, they said in a statement they could "no longer do justice to our fans or to each other".

The band, which notched up three number ones in their four years together, said the decision had come after "lengthy discussions". They said: "We've matured and developed massively as a band over the last three and a half years and have also grown as individuals. As the band has got bigger on a global scale, the commitment levels have had to increase and, at times, that has been hard on us all."

Five achieved 10 top 10 hits, the first with "Keep On Movin" at the end of 1999. They returned to the top with "We Will Rock You", their collaboration with Queen.

Suggestions that the band might call it a day had been prompted by Sean Conlon's continual non-appearances in the line-up. He was replaced in the video for "Let's Dance", their latest hit, and on television appearances by a cardboard cut-out. His absence was put down to glandular fever.

The band spoke about their decision to split on MTV yesterday, with J and Ritchie looking visibly upset.