Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor said he will leave the band due to his worsening tinnitus.

Taylor has been the chart-topping group's drummer since they formed in Birmingham in 1978, which he described as "the joy of my life", but said he had "reached the point where I must now listen to my body and my doctors".

The 66-year-old said his condition has been getting steadily worse, leading to him making one of his hardest decisions to quit the band.

The group, made up of Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and guitarist John Taylor, said his decision came after "careful consideration and medical advice", which said that "protecting his hearing and long-term health must now come first".

Taylor, who left the band in 1985 before returning in 2001, said: "Playing drums in this band has been the joy of my life, and I'll never be able to properly thank the fans for the love they've shown us over the years.

"But the truth is that my tinnitus has been getting steadily worse," he said.

He said deciding on the timing had been difficult but he was pleased to be "going out on a real high".

"We've just returned from a hugely successful UK and European tour, which followed our second headline show at BST Hyde Park, our induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, and a return to the studio with Nile Rodgers.

"I couldn't have asked for a better final chapter, with so many special moments that I'll treasure forever.

"I move on with enormous pride, and with nothing but love for Simon, Nick and John," he said.

Taylor's band members added that he had helped define the sound of the group, performing on 10 hit albums, their two number one singles - Is There Something I Should Know? and The Reflex - and the band's 1985 James Bond theme A View To A Kill.

"Roger is our brother," they said.

"His drumming helped define the sound of Duran Duran from the very beginning and having him back with us since 2001 has been incredibly important to us all.

"We completely support his decision and wish him health and happiness.

"He will always be part of this family, while we continue exploring new and exciting projects with the band."

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