Maxi Priest is new UB40 frontman

Reggae singer Maxi Priest is set to replace Ali Campbell as the frontman of UB40 after the band parted company with the lead singer.

The chart-topping musicians from Birmingham parted company with Campbell in January.

The lead singer quit the group after he claimed there had been a disagreement with management.

UB40, whose hits include Red Red Wine and Kingston Town, are now collaborating with Maxi Priest and the alliance has already yielded a re-recording of Bob Marley's I Shot the Sheriff and a double A-side single is expected soon.

Maxi Priest joined UB40 on tour last year, culminating in sell out shows at the NEC in December.

Ali Campbell was with the band for 30 years. In a statement he said he intends to concentrate on his solo work. His last performances with the band were last month in Australia, New Zealand and Uganda.

The remaining seven members of the reggae band – one of the most successful British acts in music history – issued a statement through PR firm FMG to try to set the record straight. The statement dismisses claims that Campbell was forced to resign from the outfit, saying instead that the singer had left after a meeting.

The band also rejects claims said to have been made by Campbell that he was not consulted over decisions affecting the hit group.

An official spokesman for the band said at the time: "Ali made a very simple decision, he chose to pursue and put his solo career over and above continuing to work with UB40 after February 2008, it's as simple as that.

"As with each and every other band member, including his brother Robin, Ali has been made aware of all decisions relating to the band that they as a group have made between themselves; creatively, musically and financially at all times throughout their illustrious career."

The band has pledged to honour all of this year's tour dates and says its studio album 24/7 will be released in May as planned.

Gerard Franklyn, who is UB40 spokesman, said: "Maxi is collaborating with the band to record material but there is no decision been made to replace Ali Campbell with one definitive singer.

"The reports are half correct he will be appearing with them for this new recording."