Andy Taylor quits Duran Duran. Again.

Five years after he rejoined the band, guitarist Andy Taylor has quit Duran Duran midway through their US tour.

Taylor joined the original line-up of the group when they reformed in 2001, but has now left for a second time.

An official statement on Duranduran.com says: "The past five years have been an incredible journey for us all - and having the original five back together was something that we had wanted to see happen for some time.

"As of last weekend, however, the four of us have dissolved our partnership and will be continuing as Duran Duran without Andy… Although obviously disappointed and saddened about this, we are excited about the next chapter of the Duran Duran story."

When Taylor originally quit the band in 1985 (along with drummer Roger Taylor), he was replaced by Warren Cuccurullo. This time, his place will be taken by Dom Brown.

Duran Duran still intend to release an album in 2007, the follow-up to 2004´s UK Top3 album Astronaut.