Wet Wet Wet have announced Liberty X's Kevin Simm has replaced singer Marti Pellow.
Kevin Simm
The latter quit the popular Scottish pop group - who had hits with 'Love Is All Around' and 'Angel Eyes' - in July, to focus on his solo career, and on Tuesday (25.09.18), the rest of the band confirmed the 2016 'The Voice UK' winner will be taking his place at their forthcoming shows.
Graeme Clark, Tommy Cunningham and Neil Mitchell will be joined by the 38-year-old vocalist at two gigs at St. Luke's in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 16, and London's The 229 venue on November 20.
They tweeted: "Graeme, Tommy and Neil are delighted to welcome Kevin Simm as the new singer of Wet Wet Wet. We will be playing two intimate shows at @stlukesglasgow on 16th Nov and @229thevenue London on 20th Nov 2018. For more info visit: https://wetwetwet.co.uk
#WeAreWetWetWet (sic)"
Kevin - who has been a long-time fan of their work - added to his own profile: "Delighted to announce me joining @wetwetwetuk as their new lead singer! I'm really excited for the opportunity and to open up a new chapter in my career. I grew up listening to the Wet's and 'Goodnight Girl' was in my set list when I started off doing the pubs and clubs 20 (sic)"
It's not known if they are working on new music with Kevin.
Announcing his departure, Marti tweeted: "Hi all, wanted you to know for foreseeable future I'll be concentrating on my solo work, am excited by the future and seeing you out there x (sic)"
The 53-year-old was in the chart-topping group for more than three decades, but admitted his "heart and soul" was no longer into it.
He explained: "When I started in Wet Wet Wet I gave it 100% of my heart and soul and that's what it demands and that is also what the fans demand - and if I can't do that because my focus is elsewhere, then this is not fair on the fans or the rest of the guys in the band."
Marti insisted there are no bad feelings and he will always look back fondly on his time in the group.
He said: "I will be spending more time on my solo work - performing concerts, acting and my own songwriting - as an artist I feel a lot more settled in this world. I have had a great time and loved my career with Wet Wet Wet and to me they will always be the best band in the world."
Marti previously quit the group in 1999 after battling with a heroin addiction.
Following his first departure they disbanded, but reunited in March 2004 and they dropped their eighth studio LP 'Timeless' in 2007.
As for Marti's solo career, his latest record 'Mysterious' was released in March.
Tagged in Kevin Simm