Rock band Blur have announced plans for a tour in 2013, including headlining the 2012 Rock Werchter in Belgium and the Prima Vera Sound Festival in Portugal and Spain.

The 'Beetlebum' stars wrote on their Facebook page: "Thank you for waiting... Rock Werchter is about to announce that Blur will headline next July. We're excited; hope to travel in 2013 to play to more of our lovely fans who we haven't seen for a while. Don't know where yet, we'll tell as soon as we do."

The announcement came as a surprise after hints from lead singer, Damon Albarn, in April suggested the Olympic Closing Ceremony would be the last time the band would perform together. In April, Albarn was asked if the group would ever play again after their Hyde Park gig, to which he replied: "No, I don't think so...And I hope that's the truth: that that's how we end it."

Earlier this year, Blur received a BRIT award for outstanding contribution over their 24-year history. They had only reunited in 2009 after taking a ‘hiatus’ following their 2003 tour, despite guitarist Graham Coxon walking out on the band in May 2002 during the recording of their album 'Think Tank'.