Lighthouse Family have revealed they are splitting up and have cancelled their homecoming gig in Tyne and Wear in July.
Paul Tucker, the band’s keyboardist, took to Instagram to share the news with devastated fans, writing: ‘I’m so sad to let you know that after almost thirty years we have reached the end of our Lighthouse Family journey.
‘Having set off from our little basement studio in Newcastle in 1993 it’s been an incredible adventure beyond our wildest dreams.
‘Thank you all for all your love and support through the years, we could not have done it without you.’
Lighthouse Family had been due to headline Mouth Of The Tyne Festival, which will take place between July 7-10, but pulled out in the wake of the split.
Paul explained that lead singer Tunde Bauyewu had decided to focus on his solo music, adding: ‘I’m so sorry that this means that our headline show at Mouth Of The Tyne Festival on 9th July is now cancelled.
‘I have tried everything with our agents and promoters over the last few weeks to make this work but we just couldn’t get it over the line.
‘Tunde now wants to focus on his solo career and I wish him all the best. I would like to say sorry to the promoters and to all of you who have tickets for this show and have waited through the last two years.
‘I was really looking forward to this hometown show and playing our songs in this amazing place close to the lighthouses that gave us our name.
‘I am as disappointed as you are. It breaks my heart to let you down. Paul.’
The British musical duo rose to fame in the mid-90s and had hits including Ocean Drive, High and Lifted.
Paul and Tunde had met in the early 90s while studying at university in Newcastle and working in the same bar.
