FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Chris (LadBanter) To Release Debut Single 'Bernard's Watch'

It's a transition that's been successfully navigated by only an exceptional few, from Davy Jones to Antony Costa and Briyan McFadden to Andrew Ridgeley. Now Chris from LadBanter is the latest to take the bold step away from boyband member to bona fide solo star with the release of his heartrending debut single 'Bernard's Watch'.

"See if I had Bernard's Watch we

Would still have our Tamagotchis

And maybe then you'd still love me

Like the song

By Stooshe"

Citing influences as diverse as Feet Foxes, David Grey and Next Of Kin, it's clear to see that Chris has always been a bit different to his LadBanter bandmates. While they spend most of their time insulting women, he can often be found in his room, listening to Ed Sheeran and staring at a wall. It's that kind of sensitivity that earned him the tag of "the one that might find out your name before taking you home", and that he places on show with his solo material.

Says Chris: "I've always written my own songs and I've never really had the opportunity to showcase that with the group. Don't get me wrong, I'm not leaving them (LadBanter's second album, '#bantmobile', will be released in November), I just wanted to do something a bit more real to myself. Real music."

'Bernard's Watch' was co-written by Chris with award-nominated lyricist Jason Toast (Kristian Leontiou, Kubb). Of working with Toast, he enthused: "It was good."

The song is just one of many that the pair have worked on for Chris' debut album, 'Outside Anagram'. Others include the YouTube comments-inspired 'I Remember The 90s (When I Was 3)' and the Twitter-centred '@Notebook', both showing that while Chris always has one hand writing a song or strumming an acoustic guitar or something, he has the other pressed firmly on the zeitgeist.

But what does 'Outside Anagram' mean? When the album title was revealed last week it sent social media sites abuzz with activity. Well, Chris can only further add to the intrigue, mysteriously suggesting that it was chosen because "they told me it and I thought it sounded cool".

'Bernard's Watch' is out on August 6, with 'Outside Anagram' to follow later this year. In the meantime, fans can whet their appetite with this leaked viral clip of Chris' moving acoustic rendition of Flo Rida's 'Whistle'.