Carl Barat confirms solo album

Libertines singer Carl Barat has announced plans for a solo album, tour and book.

The news comes after the band recently announced their reformation for this year's Reading and Leeds festivals.

Despite hinting that the group were writing new material, Barat will instead release his debut effort and a book by the end of this year and will also tour.

Barat said that the book would "tickle your curiosity" and urged fans to "expect the unexpected" for the album itself, PA reports.

The singer recently returned to the UK from a gig with Russell Brand in the US, where he performed songs written for Brand's band in his latest film, Get Him To The Greek.

Barat's Chavs bandmate Tim Burgess told DS that the ex-Dirty Pretty Things singer had been recording his new LP in a studio below his rented London flat.