FIGHTSTAR - SIMPSON DITCHES ISLAND RECORDS

CHARLIE SIMPSON has "torn up his contract" with his label Island Records, after the music bosses tried to force him into returning to a pop sound for his next FIGHTSTAR album. The former BUSTED star has struggled to be taken seriously as a rocker - and he has no intention of turning back now. And Simpson is even considering a complete new start in America with the band, where he hopes he can tap into the ever-growing emo-rock market. He says, "Earlier this week we decided to tear up the contract. "They wanted a pop album and we didn't. I've put so much into this band I don't want to start compromising now. "We're thinking about going to America. The market for our stuff is much bigger over there."