Hucknall: 'Simply Red will split in 2009'

Simply Red are to split up in 2009 after 25 years together, Mick Hucknall has revealed.

The singer said latest album Stay would be the group's final studio outing.

He insisted that the band will go their separate ways after their tour in two years' time, telling the Gold radio network: "There will be an end to Simply Red. I've kind of decided that the 25 years is going to be enough."

Hucknall explained that he was keen to concentrate on his solo career, saying: "I've just recorded an album that is a tribute to Bobby Bland, a blues and R'n'B artist. It's a solo project and I've really enjoyed it - so much that I feel the time has come now to just put a book-end to the [Simply Red] story."

The 47-year-old added that he wanted to "invent a new form of music" inspired by R'n'B songs from the 1960s, but said he "can't do it under the name of Simply Red".

He said: "I just want to use my name from 2010 and try and explore something new that's got a bit more of an edge and a little more drive."

Simply Red sold more than 50 million albums after rising to fame with 1985 single 'Money's Too Tight (to Mention)'.