23 November 2004
Newsdesk
The new Busted album is on hold while Charlie spends time with his new band.
Charlie has insisted on two months off at the beginning of next year to work with Fightstar reports The Mirror.
Fans fear his rock side project could cause a split in the boyband, which has stormed the charts in the UK with hits including What I Go To School For and Year 3000.
At yesterday's Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party at London's Wembley Arena, Busted boys Charlie, James Bourne and Matt Jay picked up gongs for Best Single, Best Ringtone and Top Pop Mop.
But according to sources close to Charlie, he's not happy with his pop band image and wants to be seen as a more serious rock musician.
A source said: "Charlie's amazed at how successful Busted have become, but he knows the band aren't going to go on for ever. He wants to concentrate more on the sort of music he's really into, and that's what he plays with Fightstar."
Charlie's break from the band is not the first time he's seemed noticeably distant from his Busted buddies.
A pal said: "He just has different interests. He likes the quiet life and doesn't want to party in the West End."
A spokesman for the band confirmed Charlie will be taking January and February off to concentrate on Fightstar, but added: "This doesn't mean the boys are splitting. They still plan to reunite and work on their new album."
