Pop-punk band Busted have had to add extra dates to their arena tour after it sold out almost a year in advance.

Tickets only went on sale a fortnight ago, which caused such a scramble by fans, the band have decided to add three extra dates.

The new dates include second appearances at Wembley Arena on March 13 next year, plus Birmingham NEC and Cardiff Arena.

Busted are currently on the last leg of a nationwide sell-out tour and play London Hammersmith Apollo tonight.

The band - formed by Thorpe Bay musician James Bourne - went straight to number one in April with their third hit single You Said No.

They also made chart history when they reached the top spot as experts from the Guinness British Hit Singles announced they were the only band whose first three singles have gone into the charts at numbers three, two and one respectively.

The single beat off stiff competition from Fame Academy winner David Sneddon and rock band the White Stripes to reach the top slot.

James formed the band at the Minerva pub in Southend after meeting fellow bandmate Mattie Jay.

They were signed by Universal, the largest record company in the world, and have had a platinum selling album.

Published Monday, June 2, 2003

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