Saxon bassist Tim "Nibbs" Carter has been forced to take a step back from the band's upcoming tour due to his wife's illness. Here's the statement issued by the band:

"Sadly we are forced to announce that Nibbs won't be able to join us on the upcoming tour. Due to health problems of his wife we all decided that it will be the best for all if he stays with his wife and family to make sure that she will get well soon. We still want to do the tour and looking really forward to meeting all the Saxon fans out there - it wouldn't be fair to you to postpone the tour again. Gladly our friend Yenz Leonhardt (Kingdom Come, Lacrimosa etc.) will jump in for this part of the tour and try to replace Nibbs part as best he can, although Nibbs is irreplaceable to us."

Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Saxon
Event:	Battalions Of Steel - 30th Anniversary Tour