The Daily Star newspaper has reported that Jo Haddock, singer with tribute band "The Beautiful Southmartins", is being lined up to replace the recently departed Jacqui Abbot in the Beautiful South. Some of the Southmartins were at the recording of the Jools Holland show and it is reported talks took place after the show. However the Southmartins guitarist Chris Bounds responded to this report saying that Jo had "Definitely Not" been approached by the Beautiful South, At least not yet anyway. We await development. Music365.com have moved to quash the rumour that Jo is to join the South saying "A spokesperson for the band (The Beautiful South) .. has said there are no plans to replace Abbot"

The Beautiful Southmartins have released an official statement to deny the story, Click here to read the statement in full.

Read the Daily Star Report Here
Music365.com Report
The Beautiful Southmartins Site

Following Jacqui's departure from the recent US tour a BBC documentary shown on BBC2 confirmed the roumor that Abbot had left the band. It is not yet know whether a replacement will be found, they will carry on regardless without a female vocalist or if the band will carry on at all. Keep checkin' this page for all the latest developments. Dotmusic.com has also reported the departure, saying that a Beautiful South "Spokeswoman" had confirmed that Abbot had left.

Read the Dotmusic.com report here

Beautiful South vocalist Jacqui Abbot has left the band and returned to England during their current US tour.

Abbot was present on the recent UK mini-tour and flew out to the  States with the band to commence the US leg of their current tour.

Jacqui performed with the rest of the group at the Washington and Philadelphia venues, Although some reports suggest she looked very  unhappy on stage. Abbot was then mysteriously absent from stage for the New York gig, With Paul announcing that she had "unexpectedly" had to return to England.

The early rumour is of a large deal of tension between Jacqui and the rest of the band members and she has left the band to return home. Another source claims Abbot wanted to be at home for her kids returning to school.

With more US gigs to come, a German tour, and then a more larger UK tour what state does this leave the band in?? Right now it is un-clear whether Jacqui will be re-joining the band, however one source does say there are no "Immediate" plans for her to re-join the tour.

Is this the end of the road for the Beautiful South?? Or are we in line for a third female vocalist?? Keep checking this page for the most up-to-date information.