The Darkness consider reforming

THE DARKNESS may be reuniting for a new album and tour.

According to reports in the Sun newspaper, the multi-award winning glam rock band, are considering an offer to tour next year made by the US entrepreneur behind the Dubai Desert Rocks festival.

The band have been offered "a small fortune" to hit the road again and are understood to be considering the deal.

The entrepreneur has offered the boys megabucks for a huge American tour in 2009 — and a new album. An insider said: "The offer is tabled and being studied by everyone."

But bitter disputes between all four band members could scupper plans for a possible reunion.

The Darkness shot to fame in 2003 and had huge success with their debut album, Permission to Land, which stayed at number one for four weeks, eventually going on to sell 1.5 million copies in the UK.

But they split in 2006 amid reports of internal feuds and singer Justin Hawkins's drug problems.

Since the split, relations between Hawkins and his brother, guitarist Dan have apparently been strained.

Dan and drummer Ed Graham are currently suing the band's management over money they claim they are owed.

The reports did not make clear whether bassist Frankie Poullain, who left the group in 2005, would be included in the proposed reunion.

The source added: "It's an absolute mess because so much contributed to the band breaking up. The main thing is that Dan and Justin don't get along at all. Dan blames Justin for the second album's failure because of Justin's drink and drug problems.

"Plus Dan and Ed are in a legal dispute with the band's manager over money. They both reckon they're still owed millions and are determined to get their money. The guys are all saying they would jump at the chance to reunite.

"But a crack team of lawyers and counsellors would be needed to sort out the mess they're in. And until everything is resolved, there's no way they could go on tour together.

"If the comeback does happen, it's sure to be a success because the band went from nothing to superstars overnight — and they still have millions of fans around the world."