Cable said he was 'very upset' about Kelly's comments

The split emerged on Thursday via a statement on the band's website in which singer Kelly Jones said the 'heartbreaking' decision had been made because of Cable's apparent 'commitment issues'.

Friends said Cable was shocked when they telephoned him with the news and on Friday he released a statement saying he wanted to continue to be part of the band.

"I'm a founder member of the Stereophonics and I would like to stress that I did not leave nor ever had any intention of leaving the band," said Cable.

I am, and have always been, a fully committed member of the Stereophonics Stuart Cable

Cable - who has expanded his repertoire to become a television personality in his own right with his own late-night BBC Wales chat show Cable TV - goes on to say that he had undergone a minor operation and was unable to play two gigs.

"My doctor subsequently told me I was able to continue the US tour.

"However, Kelly and Richard suggested I return to the UK to recuperate for the forthcoming UK and European tours."

And he stressed his commitment to the band had never been in doubt.

"I am, and have always been, a fully committed member of the Stereophonics and am very upset that Kelly seems to be saying I was not committed to the band.

"I have now been put in the unfortunate position where I have had to place this matter in the hands of my lawyers."

On his website Kelly Jones said he loved Cable 'like a brother'

On Thursday Kelly Jones said the band - who are currently promoting their album You've Got to Go There to Come Back - would continue as a duo of himself and bassist Richard Jones and that former Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman would join them for live dates.

Gorman, Kelly said, had already filled in for Cable on several US shows.

Cable is understood to have been unaware of his sacking until he was called by BBC Radio Wales presenter Owen Money.

Money, a friend of the drummer, said it had been a shock to him and that Cable knew nothing about it.

"I called him to say What's all this about you leaving the Stereos?'. But it was a complete shock to him - he knew nothing about it."

"As far as Stuart was concerned it wasn't true and was going to contact his manager in America."