The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins has said he is “gobsmacked and overwhelmed” by the response to the band's reunion.

The group announced this morning (March 14) that they had reformed in their original line-up to record a new album.

In a message on his personal Twitter page, Hawkins told his followers: “Thanks for all the lovely messages of support."

“I'm gobsmacked and overwhelmed by all the positivity in and around The Darkness!”

The Darkness will make their live comeback at the Download Festival in Donington on June 10.

It will be their first show as a four piece since Hawkins left the group in 2006 in order to undergo rehabilitation for drug addiction.

The rest of the group, which includes brother Dan, Frankie Poullain and Ed Graham, initially carried on without him.

(by Jason Gregory)