Five years after he was brought in as a temporary replacement for Glenn Tipton, it looks like guitarist Andy Sneap has become a permanent member of Judas Priest.

The news has been revealed by frontman Rob Halford, who says Tipton – who’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s – is still an official member of Judas Priest as well.

“I think that’s the idea, yeah,” Halford said when asked if Sneap will continue touring with the band. “Glenn comes out when he’s able. Glenn’s still with us. Glenn’s still a very important, integral part of Judas Priest and all the decisions and moves that we make.”

Halford adds the band wouldn’t have kept Sneap on board had the fans not approved of him.

“We’ve agreed that because the fans have been so loving and supportive of taking Glenn’s idea, which is, ‘I wanna put Andy on that spot, on the stage where I’ve stood for decades, and Andy will be doing the work that needs to be done for me.’ That’s just really powerful, man. That’s so much love.”