source:BARKS JAPAN Date: 2004/05/27 BLUE TO GO SOLO Boys take a break from the band
HANKIES at the ready, girls. It's our sad duty to report that our favourite boyband Blue are taking time out next year to pursue solo projects - and release a greatest hits album this year.
Lee Ryan, 20, Duncan James, 25, Simon Webbe, 25, and 22-year-old Antony Costa are said to be knackered after an extraordinary three years at the top, in which they had three No 1 albums and three chart-topping singles.
The album will be out in November followed by a greatest hits tour next February. In the past few weeks, the lads have all been busy planning solo projects, fuelling rumours the band was no more.
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Earlier this month, we revealed that Simon will start filming the Brit flick Run this summer and has set up his own music management company, while Lee is working on a solo album.
Meanwhile, Duncan is taking voice lessons with a Rada teacher and has the same agent as Denise Van Outen and Jessie Wallace, and Antony is being groomed for TV stardom by Shane Richie's agent.
"The boys are adamant this isn't the end," says our source. "They've released three albums and done two arena tours in Britain, as well as a tour of Japan. There are other avenues to pursue.
"They are all talented individuals and don't want to limit themselves to the band.
"Rather than work themselves into the ground, they feel the time is right to go out at the top, and then come back to the band after having a break."
They may not know when they'll be back, but Blue release a new single, Bubblin', on June 28. And their greatest hits disc will feature four new tracks.
The band's spokesman confirmed last night, "This definitely does not mean the end of the band. The boys insist they have a long way to go yet."