Tony Hadley loves the "freedom" of being a solo artist.

Tony Hadley

Tony Hadley

The 57-year-old singer announced earlier this summer he was leaving Spandau Ballet and he's enjoying being on his own without having to consult anyone else before making decisions.

He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I've been solo for a lot longer than I was ever in Spandau Ballet for. We had a good jolly around the world on the last tour. I am back on my own and it's all good.

"The great thing about being solo is the freedom in terms of the choice of song and writing.

"Although I talked to all of the band and consulted them on everything, ultimately it is my decision [now] and I kind of like that."

Meanwhile, the remaining members of Spandau Ballet are planning to carry on without the singer and will be replacing him with a new frontman.

And sax player Steve Norman recently admitted that, although the 'Gold' singer's departure was "frustrating" for the rest of the band, they are treating it as a "new chapter" for them.

He said: "It's a new chapter and as frustrating as it was for us, and it's sad, and it's sad for a lot of people especially the fans, but it also is for us. Our hands have been tied as well because obviously Tony had other ideas and we had other plans, and it just didn't match up.

"At least now he's focused on what he wants to do and now we can focus on what we want to do, and we are not going to replace Tony, you can't fill those particular boots, you just have to find someone that can manage."

"It's going to be a bit tricky anyway, Tony has got a massive vocal range but someone different, someone that is bringing their own personality to it, which can cover those things ... People say we can't go on, but I think, 'Why not?'

Spandau Ballet originally formed in 1979 and became one of the 80s biggest bands enjoying a string of his such as 'Instinction', 'True' and 'Gold'.

They acrimoniously split in 1990 due to a row over royalties but eventually put their differences aside in 2009 for a huge reunion tour and new album 'Once More', which contained two fresh tracks and eleven re-recordings from their back catalogue.

They came together again in 2015 for another tour before Tony walked away.

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