!!!
Arctic Monkeys bassist Andy Nicholson is out of the band.

The group are expected to tour North America later this month and throughout June without the bassist.

"Owing to fatigue following an intensive period of touring, Andy Nicholson shall be taking a rest and will not be accompanying Arctic Monkeys on their forthcoming tour of North America," the band explained in a statement.

They added: "Nick O'Malley shall be standing in for Andy on the tour which begins in Vancouver on May 27th. We all wish Andy a speedy recovery."

The band are due to return to Europe in July for festivals, including T In The Park (July 9).

Also this summer there's a planned visit to Australia and Japan, before coming back to play the Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds Festivals at the end of August.