A musician who rose to stardom with superstar Norman Cook in the Nineties has ended up bankrupt.

Ashley Slater, who fronted Cook's band FreakPower and signed to Skint records, was taken to the High Court when he failed to meet a tax bill as his fortunes sunk - in stark contrast to the celebrity career of his former bandmate.

Cook, alias Fatboy Slim, flew to the Chantilly chateau near Paris yesterday to DJ at a Valentine's Day bash of Real Madrid football star Ronaldo with David Beckham expected to be among the guests.

Meanwhile, Slater, 44, who lives in a two-storey home in Lindfield Close, Saltdean, with his wife and children, has struggled to make his former success last.

His house is just a few miles from the two house conversion at the seafront Millionaires' Row in Hove enjoyed by Cook and his celebrity wife Zoe Ball.

The success of Norman as Fatboy Slim has eclipsed his former frontman, who failed to cash-in on the more commercial dance scene.

And the singer and trombonist was seen by many as the real inspiration behind the Latin and Funk band FreakPower, supplying the vocals to their famous hit Tune Out, Tune In, Cop Out in 1995.

Following the bankruptcy order, the Californian-born musician admitted he was struggling to make ends meet but no longer performs in a band.

However, he says his life is improving and he is still carving out a career as a musician.

The self-employed musician claimed he paid £20,000 towards a tax bill but was taken to the High Court by the Inland Revenue when he failed to meet the final £1,600 demanded.

But the huge divergence in their careers has not undermined his friendship with Cook and Slater says he does not bear a grudge.

He said: "Norman worked hard for what he got, he was very lucky but also very talented and deserved everything he got - I am still friends with him.

"Under no account whatsoever must there be any indication that I've been envious of Norman Cook or that he has left me in the lurch.

"I'm not still in a band but I'm still involved in music and I have just completed a soundtrack to the latest Hollywood release MirrorMask."

He added: "I failed to file my tax returns and they wanted their money so I can't say the Inland Revenue was heavy handed - they were just doing their job."

FreakPower was formed when Cook approached Slater in 1993 asking to help form a Latin and Funk band.

The new group enjoyed some success and their biggest hit became a household favourite when it was used in a Levi's ad.

When the group split, Slater signed to Cook's Brighton-based record label Skint as Dr Bone but he failed to hit the big time.

Slater moved to Brighton after living in a squat in London's Elephant and Castle and he describes his heady days with Cook fondly as "a brush with stardom".