His last show with 10cc was in Alexandria, Virginia, at the end of a three-week US tour. Prior to that, the band had completed a four-week tour of New Zealand and Australia. His last UK show was at The Brit Festival in Cheshire, in early July. 

“When Paul and I started working together in 10cc, we never imagined in our wildest dreams that we would still be doing it even 30 years later, let alone 52,” says 10cc band leader and co-founder Graham Gouldman. “Paul is my longest-running musical associate and it will be strange to turn around and see someone else on drums, but I can fully understand his desire to withdraw from sitting on a plane for 14 hours and then changing hotel each day for several weeks."

Paul says, “Having enjoyed many years with 10cc, I'm sorry to say that for me the rigours of touring have become incommensurate with age, and it's time to put excessive hours spent waiting in airports and sitting on tour buses behind me.

“I have no intention of retiring and will continue to play, but at a more agreeable pace, working with past associates and a new band of like-minded musicians, The Guilty Men.” 

Paul’s replacement in 10cc is drummer, percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Ben Stone, whose CV includes working with Mike + The Mechanics, Bonnie Tyler, Tom Jones, Semino Rossi and Helene Fischer. Ben, who has previously deputised for Paul in 10cc, joins the band for their 10-date, sell-out tour of Holland in November, followed by a UK tour of major cities in March.

Graham adds, “We wish Paul all the very best for the future and it’s good to know he’ll still be playing.”

Paul’s message to 10cc fans,  “Thank you for your loyal support and kind words over the years, and it's been a pleasure to meet and talk with many of you on numerous occasions.”