Tony Hadley leaves Spandau Ballet and rules out future shows with the band

Singer was the lead vocalist for the band during the height of their fame

From left to right: John Keeble, Steve Norman, Tony Hadley, Gary Kemp and Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet (Getty Images)

Singer Tony Hadley has announced his departure from 1980s pop group Spandau Ballet and says he "will not be performing" with them in future.

In a rather oddly-worded statement issued from his Twitter account he said: "I am required to state that I am no longer a member of the band".

The 57-year-old said the move was due to circumstances "beyond my control".

Fans responded with some of the band's most memorable lyrics: "Say it's not True" and "He didn't need this pressure on."

Shortly after Hadley's announcement the band released a seperate statement which read: "Much to our frustration, Tony has made it clear in September 2016 that he didn't want to work with the band anymore. This has not changed and 2015 was the last time we were able to perform or work with him. So we have now made the decision to move on as a band."

Hadley was the lead vocalist for Spandau Ballet during the height of their fame in the 80s, which saw them enjoy hits including 'Gold' and 'True'.

The band split in 1990 before becoming embroiled in a court case in '99, when Hadley, drummer John Keeble and saxophonist Steve Norman unsuccessfully tried to sue guitarist Gary Kemp, claiming he - the band's sole songwriter - had promised them a larger share of royalties.

Kemp, who performed in the band with his brother Martin, wrote all of the band's hits, but the other members believed there was a gentleman's agreement to share the profits, in recognition of their own contribution to the songs.

Kemp later described the court battle as "like walking away from a car crash - you're glad to be alive but mortified and shocked by the wreckage".

By 2002, Hadly and the Kemp brothers were no long on speaking terms, and a reunion seemed to be off the cards.

But to the delight of fans they did reform in 2009, headlining the Isle of Wight Festival, producing a documentary and even recording new songs for their 2014 record The Story - The Very Best of Spandau Ballet.

More recently band members had performed solo shows, and Martin Kemp had appeared as a judge on the BBC show Let It Shine.

Hadley's departure from the band makes another reunion in future seem unlikely.