Keane frontman Tom Chaplin is being treated for drink and drug addiction, it emerged today.

The singer from Battle was initially said to be suffering from "exhaustion".

But in a message to fans on the band's website, Tom, 27, said: "I've been having to deal with an increasing problem with drink and drugs, and the time has come to get the professional help I need to sort myself out.

"I feel desperately disappointed to be letting down our fans, but I want to get myself right now so that I can be back on the road for the rest of the year."

Public-school educated Chaplin checked into a private clinic last week but managed to perform at the V Festival in Chelmsford, Essex, over the weekend.

It is understood that he is being treated in The Priory alongside Pete Doherty and has given fellow patients an impromptu solo gig on the piano.

Keane have cancelled appearances at the Ibiza Rocks festival, Edinburgh's T On The Fringe and Vodafone TBA in Dublin.

They have also postponed their US tour, which was set to kick off in September.

The Argus reported on Friday that Brit award winners Keane pulled out of their Edinburgh Festival gig because Mr Chaplin was suffering from exhaustion.

At that time the group blamed an "extremely punishing worldwide promotion and touring schedule" in recent months for the lead singer's exhaustion and subsequent withdrawal.

Mr Chaplin and the other band members, drummer Richard Hughes and pianist Tim Rice-Oxley, grew up together in Battle.

The group took their name from Cherry Keane, a tea lady at Tonbridge, the Kent public school they attended in the early Nineties.

They shot to stardom with hits such as Bedshaped and This Is The Last Time from their 2004 debut album Hopes And Fears.

Under The Iron Sea, the second album by the trio, was released in June.

Last year they were named songwriters of the year at the Ivor Novello awards. They have also won two Brit awards for Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Album.