Leeds-based Britpop tribute troupe the Kaiser Chiefs have assured their fans that, contrary to press speculation, they're not planning to split up.

The Daily Star last week suggested that the group were planning to take some time off after their most recent single died in a ditch like a mangy dog outside the hallowed walls of the Top 100.

But NME.com today says that the band have issued a statement to their fansy saying that reports of their demise were greatly exaggerated.

"We're not usually ones to defend our patch, we don't need to, but just occasionally a time comes to speak up. "What do we have to be devastated about? We're halfway though our most enjoyable and biggest tour of Europe, and couldn't be happier with the way it's going.

"Off With Their Heads is our favourite Kaiser Chiefs album to play live, we're proud of it. And it's done well, our third album in the UK to chart in the top two and 'Never Miss A Beat' went top five at a time when British indie bands don't seem able to do that anymore." No pride in the artistic achievement of the record, The Quietus notes.

"It's sold over half a million albums and is still going, where's the doom and gloom in that? Not here. We thought we owed it to our fans to flag this one up, don't believe all you read!"