The band is to part ways early next year (16) following a farewell tour which kicks off in November (15).

A statement from the group reveals they decided to break up after lead singer Jon Boden confirmed plans to step down.

The message, posted on the group's website, reads, "This is a sad message to send but after 11 amazing years we've decided to call it a day... Jon has decided the time has come for him to stand down as lead singer and the rest of us don't feel that we wish to continue without him. We have therefore decided that we should give Bellowhead the send off it deserves and go out with a bang."

The farewell tour will conclude with an intimate gig at Oxford Town Hall in Oxford, England on 1 May (16), 11 years after they played their first ever show in the city in 2004.