Mick Harvey, who had been a member of the band since it formed in 1983, said he was leaving for "personal and professional" reasons. He said he would continue to work on the band's reissue projects.

In a statement he said, "For a variety of personal and professional reasons I have chosen to discontinue my ongoing involvement with Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds.

"After 25 years I feel I am leaving the band as it experiences one of its many peaks; in very healthy condition, and with fantastic prospects for the future.

"I'm confident Nick will continue to be a creative force and that this is the right time to pass on my artistic and managerial role to what has become a tremendous group of people who can support him in his endeavours both musically and organizationally.

"I shall continue working on the Bad Seeds back catalogue reissues project over the coming year and look forward to the new opportunities I shall be able to accommodate as a result of my changed circumstances."