Matt Bellamy insists he is ''better off as friends'' with Kate Hudson.

The Muse singer split from the 'Fool's Gold' actress late last year after more than four years together, but although they're no longer together he still thinks the mother of his three-year-old son Bingham is a ''lovely person''.

He said: ''Look. We had a great relationship, she's a lovely person, we're better off as friends.''

Despite the emotional toll the split has taken on him, the 'Supermassive Black Hole' singer has been feeling ''much better'' in recent months.

He told NME magazine: ''Definitely in the last few months I've been feeling much better. Actually, I've been feeling really good.''

The comments are the first the 36-year-old musician has given directly about their break up since he addressed the news on Twitter shortly after the couple released a statement last December.

A representative for the actress stated at the time: ''Kate and Matt have been separated for some time now. Despite this, they remain very close friends and committed co-parents.''

Following up the message, he tweeted: ''Love all of you guys! We're both very happy, it's for the best. Thanks for your kind words. Now about that new album... (sic)''