But Ben Thapa believes the best is yet to come, in the shape of a summer of concerts made all the more poignant by the band's decision to split.

The foursome will part company in September, but have not disappointed their loyal fans and have honoured their summer UK tour, including dates at Newmarket Racecourse and the Ingatestone Festival in Essex.

"It's so important for us to do this tour because our fans have been amazing.

They're so dedicated they'd come to the opening of a shoebox for us!" enthuses former Cambridge schoolboy Ben, 25. "We owe it to them to put on a really good show."

For Ben in particular, who went to Parkside Community College, opening the Newmarket Festival at the July racecourse will be a very special occasion. "Some people might think singing at the Albert Hall is cool but playing Newmarket in July will be amazing."

There has been much speculation in the press at to why G4 are splitting barely twoand- half years after finishing as runnersup in reality TV talent show The X Factor.

Recalling the moment they realised G4 had come to an end, Ben explains: "We all sat around talking about the future and we just realised we had four different horizons which didn't involve each other."

He is happy with the timing of the decision. "We wanted to go out when we were at the top."

Ben adds: "I've got a classical agent and I'm just planning to get involved in more classical singing and, hopefully, one day get on the opera stage."

■ See G4 at Newmarket's July Course on July 10. Book tickets call (01638) 675500.

Source:Cambridge News