Kingfishr star taking ‘step back’ from band

James Cox

Kingfishr’s Eoin ‘Fitz’ Fitzgibbon has announced he will be taking a break from the band after their stunning rise in popularity has "caught up" with him.

Eddie Keogh, Eoghan McGrath and Fitz have had a meteoric rise and the band is now one of the most successful Irish acts. Kingfishr have sold out gigs at home and abroad.

Fitz made the announcement that he would be stepping back in a post on the band's social media account.

"Hi everyone, Fitz here with a quick update. I am going to be taking a short break from touring.

"I am all good and it is far from anything serious, but a step back is required all the same.

"The last year or so has been nothing short of incredible. The venues, the occasions, the memories – we may be some of the luckiest people on the planet to get to do what we do and I am grateful to each and every one of you for making it possible."

Fitz said that the band's success had brought a lot of pressure.

"Unfortunately with all of that comes a lot of pressure and that has caught up with me,” he said. “I need a little time to recover from it."

He also ensured fans that Kingfishr would continue.

"Kingfishr is the thing I am most proud of in life so far and the second I’m up for it I’ll be back again, but for now the boys will continue without me.

"Take care of each other, I’ll see you all very soon. Fitz."