MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY REJECTS TALK OF SMITHS REUNION

MORRISSEY REJECTS TALK OF SMITHS REUNION

Singer Morrissey has said he has no interest in reforming the Smiths as he is "not stuck in the past".

Rumours about a possible reunion for the 1980s band have persisted since their split in 1987, but both Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr have repeatedly rejected lucrative offers to reform.

Speaking on Radio 2 ahead of the release of his new solo album, Morrissey said: "People always ask me about reunions and I can't imagine why. It baffles me."

The 49-year-old said he would not reform the Meat Is Murder band just "to wrongfoot people".

"The past seems like a distant place and I'm pleased with that. I feel very much of now," he told Stuart Maconie.

The outspoken singer's latest solo album Years of Refusal is released on Monday and he appeared on Maconie's show to perform a series of Smiths classics and new tracks - including single I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris.

He explained he dictates the terms of his career and "does whatever the hell I like".

"I just sing the songs that please me and I don't try to please anyone else. I don't ask people what they think about them," he went on.

Asked if he is the same person who sang hits such as This Charming Man and Panic! in the 80s, Morrissey replied: "I hope to God I'm not."

"I'd be pretty backward because so much time has passed."

He also expressed concern over the current state of popular music, labelling it "dreadful".

"I'm waiting and am hopeful that one person will change everything," he added.