MUSIC fans were left reeling today after The Fizz announced the departure of Mike Nolan after 43 years.
The group, which won Eurovision in 1981 as Bucks Fizz, shared the surprise new on social media platform X today.
5
The Fizz revealed Mike Nolan is leaving the group at the end of the yearCredit: Twitter / @TheFizzCMJ
5
Formerly known as Bucks Fizz, the group won Eurovision in 1981Credit: Rex
Alongside a smiley picture of Cheryl Baker, Mike and Jay Aston at BBC studios, they wrote: “We can confirm, following the Michael Ball show, that Mike will be leaving the group at the end of the year.
“Cheryl & Jay will be continuing as ‘The Fizz’ & a statement from Mike, will follow in the coming days. Thank you for your understanding.”
When one person commented “maybe time call it a day”, the two remaining members shot back: “Absolutely not.”
Others were more sympathetic.
One person said: “Sorry to hear this, hope he is alright and looking forward to his retirement x.”
Another wrote: “Very sad that he’s leaving but I’m sure we wish him all the best.”
A third said: “It has been a long long run. I am sad though I completely understand. Sending lots of love (since 1981).”
In 1981, Cheryl, Mike, Jay and Bobby G topped the charts with Eurovision classic Making Your Mind Up and followed it with a string of hits including The Land Of Make Believe.
They have sold more than 15 million records worldwide, and had three number one singles.
Tragedy struck in 1984 when the group were involved in a near-fatal bus crash that left all the members seriously injured.
Cheryl broke her spine in three places, Jay also had back injuries, and Mike fell into a coma and almost died while having an operation to save his life.
While technically always a functioning band, in-house disputes meant a near-constant line-up change.
Cheryl, Mike and Shelley Preston – who replaced Jay in 1985 – reformed the group under The Fizz in 2004, due to a legal dispute.
Jay replaced Shelley in 2009 and The Fizz continue to perform and release albums, with their most recent release – Smoke & Mirrors – reaching number 29 in the UK album chart.
Like many acts in the Eighties, huge hits did not necessarily mean big bucks.
5
Cheryl, Mike and Jay have been performing under The Fizz moniker since 2009Credit: Times Media Ltd
5
Cheryl, pictured with her husband Steve, said the group didn’t make millions despite their huge hitsCredit: Stewart Williams
5
Bucks Fizz sold 15million records worldwideCredit: Rex
Cheryl told us last year: “We were given five per cent of a 90 per cent of the sales, because they took off ten per cent for breakages and giveaways to radio stations and record firms.
“That five per cent was split four ways, so we got less than a penny for every record we sold.
“I had enough to buy a semi- detached in Eltham, South East London, but I didn’t care. I’m not into material things.
“Money gets me by, money pays for things, but that’s all.”
Cheryl did splash out on a small house for her parents, in Essex, as well as a 32ft Fairline Phantom boat, for £15,000, which she kept in Brighton Marina.
She said: “I loved it but that was a dripping tap as far as money was concerned so I sold it.”
In 1984, the band were involved in a terrifying crash in Newcastle, when their tour bus hit a lorry, with Mike suffering a near-fatal brain injury which left him with impaired vision and epilepsy, prompting Cheryl to set up the charity HeadFirst.
Cheryl broke three vertebrae, which hurt if she is standing up too long, but she made a speedy recovery.
She went on to present a cookery show, Eggs And Baker in 1988, and front hit kids’ show Record Breakers for 11 years, quitting Bucks Fizz in 1993, when her twins were born.
After Mike Nolan also left the band, Bobby G teamed up with David Van Day and continued to tour the band but in 2004, with an Eighties revival sweeping the nation, Cheryl reunited with former bandmates Jay and Mike to perform as The Original Bucks Fizz, sparking a legal wrangle over the name.
Bobby won the case, meaning the trio could no longer use the name — nor even say they were “formerly of Bucks Fizz” — and they adopted The Fizz instead.
Cheryl said: “It’s sad because we won Eurovision and we had that terrible crash which almost killed Mike so we had so much history in a short space of time.
“We should all have the right to use the name.
“Bobby doesn’t gig so it’s like he is saying, ‘I don’t want to play with this ball any more but you can’t have it’. ”
Cheryl says the loss of the name cost them a host of gigs, meaning she turned to a business owner pal for work.
She added: “Even if I’m broke I don’t worry about money.
“If I look at the bank account and there’s nothing coming in for a while, I’ll find something to do.
“I’ve worked for a neighbour who runs a gardening company, for £10 an hour, and it was lovely.
“I was out in the fresh air and we’d have a good old chinwag while we worked.
“I also recorded personal messages for fans which brought in some
News
Meg Sabotaged R.Stewart’s Yacht In Sardinia After He Refused To Let Her Join: GO TO HELL, OLD MAN!
**Rod Stewart Prioritizes Family Over Royal Invitation for Sardinian Yacht Cruise** In a surprising turn of events, Rod Stewart, the legendary British rocker, declined an invitation from Prince Harry to join his family on a luxurious yacht cruise in Sardinia….
Insane Haz Rushed To SLAP Christie Brinkley As She Kick Him Out Of 2024 Polo Hamptons Match: B!TCH!
**Christie Brinkley Confronts Prince Harry at 2024 Polo Hamptons Match: ‘You’re Not Welcome!’** At the 2024 Polo Hamptons match, Christie Brinkley took decisive action, demanding Prince Harry’s removal due to his uninvited presence. The unexpected incident turned the usually glamorous…
Rare Footage Captured! Usher Humiliated Meg AT 24 BET Award As She Seduce Him! Am NOT Ur Victims
**Rare Footage Captured! Usher Humiliates Meghan Markle at 2024 BET Awards as She Attempts to Seduce Him** Rare footage from the 2024 BET Awards has surfaced, capturing a controversial interaction between Meghan Markle and Usher. The incident, marked by Meghan’s…
Can I Call You a Dad? | Emotional Adoptions
Can I Call You a Dad? | Emotional Adoptions Imagine the pure, unadulterated joy of welcoming a child into your home – a child who will look to you as their guiding light, their protector, and their source of unconditional…
Mom Has To Stop Herself From Laughing As She Films Toddlers On A Mission
Toddlers on a Mission: A Mom’s Hysterical Adventure! Oh my goodness, you guys, you have to see this! I was rolling on the floor laughing the other day as I watched my little ones embark on the most hilarious mission…
Dec Donnelly POKES FUN at Ant McPartlin’s new fatherhood status as the PAIR LAUNCH the first Britain’s Got Talent semi-final
Declan Donnelly poked fun at Ant McPartlin’s new fatherhood status as the pair launched the first Britain’s Got Talent semi-final on Monday night. Ant, 48, and his wife Anne-Marie, 46, welcomed son Wilder – Ant’s first child – on May 14, and he announced the happy…
End of content
No more pages to load