HAPPY MONDAYS - RYDER STEPS UP LEGAL BATTLE

RYDER STEPS UP LEGAL BATTLE

HAPPY MONDAYS star SHAUN RYDER has hired a new team of criminal solicitors to help end the long legal battle with his former management team.
William and Gloria Nicholls helped Ryder take his former band Black Grape to the top of the charts back in the 1990s, only to fall out with him over a contract the singer admits he didn't read before he signed.
He fired the pair in 1996, but a judge forced him to abide by the contract and hand over $240,000 (£160,000) in royalties.
According to the judge's ruling, Ryder still owes them more money, and in 2007 his assets were frozen - forcing him to hand over any money he earns to receivers.
Ryder even turned down writing and performing royalties from his collaboration with Damon Albarn on the Gorillaz track Dare - so it wouldn't profit the Nicholls.
But he can see light at the end of the tunnel, thanks to the help of a new management team who are dedicated to untangling his legal mess.
Ryder tells WENN, "The legal situation is still there and it's frustrating. I've had to hand over everything I've made.
"What we've done recently is, we've just changed our solicitors.
"We had an entertainment solicitor, and now we've hired a criminal solicitor, who's hopefully going to speed things up and get it all sorted."