Alt-Jhave vowed to carry on without member Gwil Sainsbury, who confirmed he was quitting the group over the weekend.

On Saturday (January 11), the Breezeblocks band took to Twitter to make the announcement, writing: "With regret, Gwil is leaving alt-J. This is purely a personal decision and as our best friend we support him completely."

With regret, Gwil is leaving alt-J. This is purely a personal decision and as our best friend we support him completely.

— Δ (alt-J) (@alt_J) January 11, 2014

In a new statement, the Barclaycard Mercury Prize winners assured fans his departure does not mean the end of Alt-J.

They said: "The three remaining members of alt-J - Joe, Gus and Thom - and all at Infectious Music give their full support to Gwil and wish him only the very best for the future.

"Both alt-J and Infectious would like to reassure fans that the band remain excited about the future and are set to return to the studio very soon to begin work on the follow up to 2012's Barclaycard Mercury Prize-winning An Awesome Wave."