Legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen has announced that he has checked himself into a rehabilitation centre.

He explained that it was partly to do with a responsibility that he felt towards his fans.

A statement on the Van Halen official website reads: "I would like Van Halen fans to know how much I truly appreciate each and every one of you.

"I have always and will always feel a responsibility to give you my best. At the moment I do not feel that I can give you my best.

"That's why I have decided to enter a rehabilitation centre to work on myself, so that in the future I can deliver the 110 per cent that I feel I owe you and want to give you."