Last month, we reported that three parts of New Order and one part of Blur were set to record together as Bad Lieutenant. Now the ‘supergroup’ has locked in a release date of 5 October for its debut album Never Cry Another Tear.

The record was made over a year in a studio on the outside Manchester. Intriguingly, vocal duties will be handled by the relatively unknown Jake Evans. This could be a very wise move – and a nerve-wracking one for the new man out front.

A statement from Bernard Sumner enthuses: “We’ve worked hard on it [the album] and I’m proud of it. It’s also important because it gives people the chance to hear a gifted new singer and guitar player who I think is really talented.”

It seems, though, that Alex James was more of a star guest than permanent player. In the band’s live line-up (yes, they’ll be touring), Manchester local Tom Chapman will play bass alongside seasoned players Sumner, Phil Cunningham and Stephen Morris.