The Fizz Band Member Mike Nolan Announces Departure
One of the members of an 80s pop group that soared to victory for the UK at Eurovision has announced that they’re leaving the band. In 1981, the iconic Bucks Fizz reigned supreme at the song contest, clinching the victory after performing their track Making Your Mind Up.
In recent years, three original members of the band – Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston – have been continuing to perform under a different name: The Fizz. Now, Mike, 69, has revealed that he plans on leaving the group by the end of the year, explaining that he came to his decision for ‘personal reasons’.
Mike Nolan’s Departure Announcement
The trio shared the announcement on Michael Ball’s Radio 2 show, while also posting a statement on social media confirming the huge change. ‘We can confirm, following the Michael Ball show, that Mike will be leaving the group at the end of the year,’ they said. ‘Cheryl & Jay will be continuing as ‘The Fizz’ & a statement from Mike, will follow in the coming days. Thank you for your understanding.’
Speaking on the Radio 2 show, Mike announced that at the end of 2024, ‘I’m going to be leaving.’ Radio host Michael couldn’t contain his shock, asking in disbelief: ‘You’re going to be leaving? For real?!’
Reasons for Departure
As it was joked that Michael could join The Fizz as the third member, he asked Mike: ‘Why have you made that decision?’ The musician answered: ‘Uh… this is personal reasons. It is personal, but… I don’t know. I have decided to go, to leave. I’ve been thinking about it for a long, long time, and I just thought, this is the time to do it.’
Mike added that it’s been 43 years since he’s been in a band with Cheryl, 70, and Jay, 63. His band members quipped light-heartedly that they were ‘glad to see the back of him’, before confirming that The Fizz will be carrying on in his absence.
Plans After Mike’s Departure
After Mike’s departure, Cheryl and Jay will be joined by one or two other men when they perform in the group, they shared, who they insisted have to be of a ‘certain age’.
Michael urged Mike to ‘enjoy’ this year before his exit, while fans expressed their devastation over the news.
Good Morning Britain Interview
On Monday May 6, Mike, Cheryl and Jay stopped by Good Morning Britain to share some more details on Mike’s exit from the group. He added that in addition to his departure being down to ‘personal reasons’, he was also struggling with the amount of travelling he had to do.
‘It’s actually personal reasons why I’m leaving. But also as well, I was getting fed up with the amount of travelling that you’ve got to do,’ he told the ITV programme’s presenters Ed Balls and Kate Garraway.
Cheryl joked that for the past three years, Mike had been saying that he wanted to leave, before adding: ‘Of course it’s not going to be the same.’ She confirmed that she and Jay will ‘keep going’ as The Fizz, quipping that they plan on ‘replacing’ Mike in due course.
They then joked that Ed, 57, could be a viable replacement, before the ITV star started warbling the group’s lyrics. ‘You’ve got the moves!’ Kate, 57, remarked, after her co-host showed off his dancing chops.
