Justin Hawkins isn't impressed by the current crop of male solo artists.

The Darkness frontman, who is currently working on his own solo project, called British Whale, explained, "If I were in charge, I would insist on more and more dreary men with acoustic guitars.

"Then The Darkness and British Whale records will become the must-haves for anybody who has ever had anything positive happen in their lives. Long live the dullards, because while 'Everybody Hurts', some of us just like to get on with it instead of whinging like ninnies."

Speaking to the Daily Star, he added, "The likes of Liam Gallagher, Steven Tyler, Freddie Mercury, Elton John and Stevie Wonder are musical icons that I've always admired.

"But there are some wretched, talentless fools among the current crop of stars, whose records ought to be melted down and used to build vinyl rafts, upon which they should be set adrift in shark-infested waters. You can read all about them in the NME."