Busted now after split - tragic health battle, rivals and thwarted reunion

Busted now after split - tragic health battle, rivals and thwarted reunionBusted rose to fame in 2002 with What I Go To School For before splitting in 2005 - the band reunited in March 2023 for a 20th anniversary tourComments3amNiamh Kirk Lifestyle Writer10:29, 05 Apr 2026Updated 10:33, 05 Apr 2026View 5 ImagesBusted formed in 2000 and split up in 2005(Image: PA)Busted devotees were left devastated when the pop-rock trio revealed their shock break up back in 2005 - though mercifully, it wasn't the final curtain for the band.‌James Bourne, Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis shot to stardom with their breakthrough track What I Go To School For in 2002, two years after they began, quickly snagging their maiden chart-topper with Year 3000 shortly afterwards. Yet despite their phenomenal achievements, the boy band called it quits just a few years down the line and pursued individual paths.‌Fast-forward to March 2023, they declared their official reunion with a 20th anniversary tour, which took place in 2025 - but what unfolded during those years in the wilderness? Each member experienced highs and lows, from wrestling with mental health crises and rehabilitation programmes, shock surgeries to 'extend life' to conquering the West End stage and launching McBusted.‌READ MORE: Busted's James Bourne's health update - everything we know so farView 5 ImagesThe band came back together in 2023 for a reunion tour(Image: Splash News)James BourneChief songwriter James grew up in Southend-on-Sea in Essex, where he met bandmate Matt Willis.He relocated to the Big Apple following the 2005 split and launched a fresh pop-rock band dubbed Son Of Dork. The ensemble notched up a handful of top 10 singles before the members each branched out towards different ventures.‌James transformed their first album into a West End stage show in 2012, titled Loserville: The Musical. Come 2013, James and Matt revealed they were teaming up with McFly to create McBusted, embarking on...