Monkeys bassist to miss US tour

The band's debut album sold more than 100,000 copies on its first day

The Arctic Monkeys bass player has pulled out of the rock group's North American tour because of exhaustion.

"Owing to fatigue following an intensive period of touring, Andy Nicholson shall be taking a rest," a statement on the band's website said.

The group start their 17-date tour in Canada on Saturday before returning to Europe for festival dates in June.

Nicholson will be replaced by Nick O'Malley, former bassist in another Sheffield group, The Dodgems.

The Arctic Monkeys' album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not became the fastest-selling debut in UK chart history when it was released in January.

It sold more than 360,000 copies during its first week of release.

The band have toured extensively to promote the album, and plan to play another 44 concerts over the summer.

Arctic Monkeys built up their fan base on the internet, after demo CDs they handed out at gigs in 2003 were put on the web.

They were eventually signed by independent record label Domino Records.