by
Stand-in Arctic Monkeys bassist Nick O'Malley seems likely to take up the position full-time following original member Andy Nicholson's decision to leave the band for good.
The three remaining Monkeys posted a statement on their website:
"We have been mates with Andy for a long time and have been through some amazing things together that no one can take away. We all wish Andy the very best."
The band play the Hurricane Festival in Germany on Friday. They've been without Nicholson since last month, when he took a break suffering from "fatigue following an intensive period of touring".
No specific reason has yet been given for his permanent departure.
