ROCKER Justin Hawkins has checked himself into prestigious clinic The Priory for treatment, it emerged yesterday.But, in the wake of national newspaper reports suggesting that his band The Darkness are about to be dropped and may split up, the group last night released a lengthy statement rubbishing the claims and wishing Justin a speedy return to good health.

ROCKER Justin Hawkins has checked himself into prestigious clinic The Priory for treatment, it emerged yesterday.

But, in the wake of national newspaper reports suggesting that his band The Darkness are about to be dropped and may split up, the group last night released a lengthy statement rubbishing the claims and wishing Justin a speedy return to good health.

The enigmatic Lowestoft-raised frontman, famed for his falsetto high notes and outlandish catsuits, was admitted to the Priory on Saturday.

The clinic is renowned for treating celebrity clients for a range of problems - ranging from alcohol and drug abuse to stress.

Hawkins, 31, has previously admitted to having battled against eating order bulimia in the past.

He has been told to have at least two weeks off - his doctor said it was of “paramount importance that he rests and recuperates” - and the band had to cancel a festival appearance in Denmark over the weekend.

But last night the remaining three members of the group - Justin's brother's Dan, drummer Ed Graham and bassist Richie Edwards - released a statement on the band's official website.

It said: “After Justin saw a doctor last week and was recommended to 'cancel all professional commitments or work-related activities', we had little choice but to cancel the band's appearance at the Skanderborg Festival in Denmark.

“It's something that the band hate to do, but having been out on the road constantly for such a long time and having not had any time off over the past three years, that's what Justin has decided to do and we are all agreed that his health must come first.

“As everybody found out today, Justin has been admitted to a rehabilitation clinic. We would however like to make it clear that this emphatically does not signal the end for The Darkness, nor are their label considering 'dropping' them.

“On the contrary they have taken up their option with the band and are looking forward to releasing The Darkness' third album in early 2007.

“We are not here to comment on Justin's private life - or anyone else's for that matter - but he is feeling better already and as soon as he is ready we will be going straight into the studio to begin recording album number three.

“We hope you would join us in wishing Justin well - and it is for you to judge if a platinum album, headlining and co-headlining sold out shows across the UK, Continental Europe and Australia to an audience of thousands of adoring fans can ever be considered a failure.”

Justin Hawkins was born in Chertsey, Surrey, on March 17, 1975.

He grew up in Darsham and then Lowestoft, attending the town's Kirkley High School.

He formed The Darkness with his younger brother Dan on guitar, drummer Ed Graham and bassist Richie Poullain at the turn of the millennium.

They shot to fame in 2003 with singles including Growing on Me and I Believe in a Thing Called Love charting highly to critical acclaim.

Their debut album, Permission to Land, sold more than 1.5 million copies in the UK alone and in 2004 the four-piece claimed three Brits and two Kerrang Awards.

But recently the band has fallen on hard times - bassist Poullain left the group amid rumours of a bust-up, and second album One Way Ticket to Hell and Back failed to repeat the success of their first effort.