With an October tour looming and with poor Charlatans drummer Jon Brookes having to undergo treatment for a brain tumour, The Charlatans were in a bit of a jam. Brookes collapsed on stage last week in Philadelphia and is currently awaiting an operation following the discovery of the tumour.

Cue The Verve's Pete Salisbury to step up to the drum stool, providing the percussive hits for the band as they tour alongside the Happy Mondays' Shaun Ryder from 7th October, performing a warm-up gig (sans Shaun) on 5th at the Forum in Hatfield. It is likely that Pete will perform drumming duties for the entire tour, which ends in Birmingham at the O2 Academy on 23rd October.

We wish Jon Brookes all the best and a speedy recovery.