A SINGER has had to pull out of this year’s Poole Harbour Festival. 

Jamaican-born Neville Staples, of pop group Fun Boy Three fame, has been forced to pull out after being diagnosed with a “serious” heart defect. 

According to festival organisers, it means Neville will never be able to perform live again. 

In his replacement, singers of Dancing in the Moonlight, Toploader, will be performing. 

A spokesperson said: “We are absolutely devastated by the news as I'm sure you are too. We hope you understand and join us in wishing him all the best. 

“We have been working hard to find a replacement for Neville Staple, and are pleased to announce Toploader are able to step in and will be making a return to Poole Harbour Festival 2024.” 

The organisers added: “Since forming in 1997, Toploader have over two million album sales to their name and a string of top 20 hits both home and abroad, in 2000 the single ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ became a global hit spending over a year in European Airplay Charts transforming Toploader into a household name.” 

This year’s festival will start on Friday, July 26 and last until Sunday, July 28. 

Other confirmed acts include Razorlight, The Coral, Reef and Artful Dodger.