Artful Dodger call it a day

Mark Hill of Artful Dodger: Two million sales in five years

One of Britain's most successful pop teams - Artful Dodger, real names Mark Hill and Pete Devereux - is to split up after five years.

The duo, who have had four top 10 hits and sold more than two million singles, had their first hit Re-Rewind, with singer Craig David, in 1999.

Mark Hill will continue to work under the name of Artful Dodger and releases a new single, Twenty Four Seven, in two weeks' time - featuring vocals from All Saints member Mel Blatt.

A statement issued by Warner Music confirmed that the pair, credited with popularising garage music, have parted company amicably.

Platinum

The duo hailed from Southampton, like their frequent collaborator Craig David, with whom they won a Sony Award for the Artful Dodger and Craig David Radio Show, on London radio station Capital FM.

Mel Blatt's collaboration is out in two weeks' time

In their short career they also had a platinum selling debut album, It's All About the Stragglers.

This year they picked up a share of three Ivor Novello awards - for songwriters of the year, the dance award and the award for best contemporary song.

Hill is expected to continue to produce and remix under the Artful Dodger name, with a new album tentatively scheduled for summer 2002.

Devereux is writing and producing tracks for his new projects and will continue to DJ under his own name.