Musician Paul Heaton has resigned from his role as Sheffield United patron following the Ched Evans controversy.

Convicted rapist Evans recently started training with the League One side after being released early from prison.

A number of public figures have already stepped down as patrons at Bramall Lane, including Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill and television presenter Charlie Webster.

However, Heaton is the first male to distance himself from the club in the wake of Evans's return.

Heaton wrote on his official Facebook page: "I firmly believe that Ched Evans has the right to rebuild his career in football but rebuilding a career should not involve walking straight out of prison and into the shirt of the club he so badly let down.

"I believe he needs to move away and move on, and the club itself needs to lift its reputation out of the gutter."

Heaton rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s with bands The Housemartins and The Beautiful South.