Kevin Richardson has left Grammy-winning boy band the Backstreet Boys, it’s been announced.
It was a "tough decision for me", the singer revealed to fans on a message on the band’s website. "It was necessary in order to move on with the next chapter of my life," he added.
The mega-successful boy band, who started performing together in 1994, have sold more than 35 million albums.
The band took a break in 2001, while AJ checked into rehab for alcohol abuse, before reuniting in 2005 to release a new album called ‘Never Gone’.
The remaining band members Brian Litrell (who is Kevin‘s cousin), AJ McLean, Nick Carter and Howie Dorough say they will not replace Kevin.
"The door will always be open for him to return to the Backstreet Boys. We wish him the all the best in his future endeavours,” they said through their website.
BSB will hit the studio later soon to record their next album, which is slated for release later this year.
