LATEST: BACKSTREET BOYS star NICK CARTER insists the pioneering boy band will not be splitting up, despite singer KEVIN RICHARDSON's decision to quit.
And the blonde pop pin-up insists Richardson's departure might not be permanent - and he'll always be welcomed back with open arms.
He tells MTV News, "All we can do is be supportive in any decisions that any of us make.
"We still want to be able to do records and there are fans out there that want to hear our music, and we're going to push on. But the door is always open for him. If he wants to come back to perform again, he can. We respect his decision."
Carter also revealed that the next Backstreet Boys album could feature a solo track from each of the four remaining bandmates.
He adds, "Times have changed, and we're trying to adapt and trying to get a grip on things. We love what we do, we love the music we've done, and obviously we're still going with it and still moving on."