A CHART-TOPPING British band has revealed their “bittersweet” decision to split.
The country music duo, whose partnership has spanned 13 years and six albums, have confirmed their current tour will be their last.
The Shires, formed of Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle and known for tracks such as Watching You Watching Me, hinted there could be a potential for a comeback and said: “Maybe one day we’ll be making music and touring again.”.
In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, it stated Crissie would be “taking a well deserved break” for family life.
The band, who originally formed on Facebook, broke the news in a message which read: “After a busy 13 years together and six albums’ worth of stories shared on stages all across the world, we’re going to be taking time away from The Shires.
“With two young daughters at home, Crissie will be taking a well-deserved break to focus on family life and spend more time with her quickly-growing girls.
“It’s a bittersweet decision, one that Ben completely understands and supports as a parent himself.
“We’ll both be cheering each other on for whatever our next chapters hold and who knows, maybe one day we’ll be making music and touring again.
“But for now, this will be our final tour as The Shires for the foreseeable future.
“We can’t wait to sing, dance and make some beautiful memories together on this tour, as we celebrate the amazing journey we’ve all been on together.
“Thank you for all the love you’ve given us, we’ll hold onto it forever. B&Cx”
Radio 2 DJ Bob Harris wrote: “…and we love you right back xx”
Country music singer Shania Twain then put: “Sending congratulations for everything you have achieved and all the best for what’s to come guys”.
On his personal Instagram page, Ben admitted he was struggling with the decision to split.
He told fans: “I completely respect and understand Crissie’s decision but truthfully it’s been a big adjustment for me and something I’ve been processing and working through.
“That’s why I’ve found it a bit tough to show up on here recently.
“I’m definitely turning a corner with it all though”.
The Shires’ 2026 UK tour will kick off in Glasgow on November 3.
It will wrap in Bristol on November 20.
Previously, Crissie said her pals feared the duo were “too young” for country.
She told us: “Our friends thought we were crazy and too young for country but we really believed there was a calling for country music over here.
“I was a wedding singer before, and I performed at functions and I sang everything I could possibly do, but I always loved country music.
“When we started working on this music, within eight months we had two record deals on the table. It was pretty amazing”.
Their 2015 release Brave peaked at Number 10 on the UK Albums Chart, making history as the first Top 10 album by a UK country group.