Snow Patrol's sacked bassist has spoken of his shock and hurt after being let go by the band he helped form.
Mark McClelland, from Belfast, claims the reason he was dropped from the indie group was because lead singer Gary Lightbody wanted more control.
He also said the other three members of the group ganged up against him to force him out.
Gary and Mark founded the band in 1994 when they met at Dundee University.
After years struggling the band hit the big time last year with third album 'Final Straw'.
In an interview with the Daily Record in Glasgow, where Mark lives, he told how he was called to a meeting with Gary and Johnny, who broke the news to him.
"I didn't see it coming because there was no real indication of these pressures they were talking about. I went down for a meeting to discuss what I thought was about when we were going to start rehearsing and writing for the new album. And it was just sprung upon me. It's quite a surprise."
In a statement released by the band, they said the pressures of touring had affected their working relationship within the band and that they could not move forward with Mark as a member.
