Busted announce return with massive UK arena tour and reworks of hit songs to celebrate more than 20 years since debut

It’s official – are back, and they’re bringing new songs and a massive UK tour with them.

The iconic three-piece ruled the airwaves in the early noughties with earworms including Year 3000, Air Hostess and What I Go To School For.

It’s somehow since Busted – comprising vocalists Charlie Simpson, James Bourne and Matt Willis, all 39 – burst onto the scene, and they have something very special ahead to celebrate.

Fans had already become convinced the Who’s David stars , with the official Busted social media pages updating their banners to include the date March 23.

Well, it is now March 23, and it has been revealed Busted are coming back for a massive 15-date UK arena tour, kicking off in September and with tickets going on sale next week.

The tour will see James, Charlie and Matt perform their biggest hits along with fan favourites (hello, Nerdy and 3am) with support from Mmmbop stars Hanson and New Hope Club.

That’s not all: the group are preparing to release no fewer than 15 songs.

Rather than brand new tracks, Busted have created reworks of some of their most iconic songs and will perform them alongside some other major names from the scene.

The first release is a new version of Loser Kid, from Busted’s debut album; the track will hit airwaves on April 14 and will feature pop rock stars Simple Plan.

Other upcoming singles will have special guests McFly, All Time Low and more, with names to be released at a later date.

Tickets for the tour will go on general sale at 9am on March 31, however fans who sign up to Busted’s mailing list will receive access to a pre-sale from 9am on March 29.

Rumours of a comeback for the group have circulated since Fightstar musician Charlie hinted to Lorraine Kelly ‘’ for a reunion.

‘It is the 20 year anniversary for Busted this year,’ he added.

‘Sworn to secrecy again… but there may be some stuff in the pipeline.’

Busted were first formed in 2000 and released their first, self-titled album in 2002, before their 2003 album A Present For Everyone threw them into even wider fame.

Their split in 2005 devastated fans, with many remembering genuine tears in the playground the day the news was announced; all three went on to form solo careers or front new bands.

Busted returned – in a way – in 2013, when Matt and James teamed up with McFly for supergroup McBusted, and Charlie finally returned in 2015, completing the original lineup.

However the group took a hiatus once again in 2019, and after four long years this seems set to be their biggest return party yet.