THE DARKNESS PLAN NEW GROUP

The Darkness are set to record a new album under a different name and without frontman Justin Hawkins.

Hawkins left the band last autumn after entering rehab following a downward spiral of drink and drug problems, leaving the band bereft of their singer after making a huge impact with their debut album.

However, the remaining members of the former four-piece band, including Justin's brother Dan, Ed Graham and Richie Edwards will resurrect the group together with Toby MacFarlaine, currently bass player for former Blur guitarist Graham Coxon.

The four musicians will team up under a new and as yet undisclosed name, with MacFarlaine playing bass in place of Frankie Poullain, who left last May, and Edwards assuming the role of lead vocalist.

MacFarlaine revealed: "I am indeed in a new band with Dan, Ed and Rich, who are presently known as The Darkness.

"A new name is to be announced shortly and then we shall take over the world and rule it with a rubber fist!"

Edwards confirmed on the social networking site MySpace that it had indeed "finally happened".

"The big red record button has been pressed and we've officially started our album," he added.

The Darkness picked up three Brit Awards in 2004 after a startling debut with their album Permission To Land in 2003, including the smash hit I Believe In A Thing Called Love.

However, Hawkins' personal problems and a difficult second album saw their early promise fade.