Black Sabbath intend to honour their planned reunion despite drummer Bill Ward seemingly backing out of the project.

The band's original line-up - Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward - had announced in 2011 that they would be reuniting for a new album and a world tour, including a date at the Download Festival at Donington.

However, Ward posted a statement on his website saying that whilst he is ready to head to the UK to participate in the band's writing sessions, he won't do so until he gets a "signable" contract, lamenting the apparent lack of respect for his position in the band.

The three other members of Black Sabbath took to Facebook yesterday (February 3) to confirm that they would continue without Ward - but that the "door is always open". They said:

"We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans...we have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open...We are still in the UK with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll... See you at Download!!!"

The band's reunion had already been under threat after guitarist Iommi was diagnosed with cancer - but the band vowed to carry on.