Keith Richards still speaks to his late bandmate Charlie Watts.

The Rolling Stones' legendary drummer passed away aged 80 in 2021 from throat cancer, and he is still so sorely missed by his bandmates, so much so that guitar hero Keith, 80, has "conversations" with the sticksman.

Speaking to Guitarist magazine, he said: "All I can say is I loved the man dearly and I miss him.

I still have conversations with him [laughs]."

The Stones recruited Steve Jordan to play drums following Charlie's passing.

Meanwhile, Keith recently insisted the group will keep making new music until they "drop".

The 'Start Me Up' group - also made up of frontman Sir Mick Jagger and guitarist Ronnie Wood - have "plenty more" material left over from their recent number one album 'Hackney Diamonds'.

When asked if there is "another album in the pipeline", Keith told SiriusXM NPR: "There's plenty more stuff left over from 'Hackney Diamonds' to work on.

"There'll always be another one until we drop.

"We can put our feet up for a little bit, but you know.

"You're into this thing all the way. This is what we do. We've gotta see this Rolling Stones through."

Keith also isn't planning to stop performing anytime soon, because he still "loves it".

He said: "It keeps me on my toes and keeps my fingers moving. And I'm still finding different ways of playing things.

"Even though you're getting to be around 80, believe me, it don't stop."

Keith also admitted it has been "difficult" playing without Charlie.

But he is grateful that Charlie recommended Steve as his replacement, before he passed away.

Asked what it was like to not work with Charlie after so many years, Keith replied: "As part of the Stones, it was difficult.

"Made much easier by Mr. Watts himself, who had always recommended Steve Jordan, 'If anything happens, Steve Jordan's the man.'

"That advice came many years ago to me, and that caused me to work on The X-Pensive Winos with Steve Jordan.

"So it was a natural fold-in for the events, but at the same time, I do know that it is with Charlie's blessing - which makes us all a lot happy, you know?"