The great escape?

A studio bust up, and Graham Coxon's subsequent absence from recording sessions for the new album, have led to rumours that the Blur guitarist has left the band.

The band are currently recording in Morocco and London, and tensions between Coxon and singer Damon Albarn came to a head with Coxon reportedly walking out of the studio.

The band’s management, however, have stressed that the reason Coxon isn’t present at the recording is because he’s working on a solo project scheduled for an October release.

The guitarist himself commented: "I’ve known Damon Albarn since I was 12. Any arguments we have are very quickly resolved, we’re beyond any serious bust-ups. Honestly, I’m in Blur and enjoying making the new album."

More news - if any - as we have it.