K.K. Downing, guitarist with the legendary rock outfit Judas Priest, has shocked fans all over the world by announcing he has quit the band ahead of their scheduled farewell tour. 

The band announced back in December last year that 2011 would see them embark upon an international string of dates to formally end their impressive career, but now just weeks before their first gig on June 11, Downing has thrown in the towel. An official statement reads:

"It is with regret that Judas Priest announce that K.K. Downing has formally retired from the band and will therefore not be joining them on their forthcoming tour. The band respect his decision and naturally wish him well."

Website contactmusic.com reports that Richie Faulkner will replace him for the live shows and you can watch American Idol contestant James Durbin perform a cover of Priest's 'You Got Another Thing Comin'' here: