Heaven knows they're miserable now: Johnny Marr denies former bandmate Morrissey's claims he ignored offer of lucrative Smiths reunion tour

Johnny Marr has denied claims made by erstwhile bandmate Morrissey that he ignored nan connection of a Smiths reunion tour.

Instead nan guitarist, now 60, revealed he simply 'said no' to nan lucrative offer.

The Manchester set was composed of Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce. Formed successful 1982, The Smiths made hits specified arsenic Easy Money and Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now.

Lead vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr person been arguing some publically and privately for decades since nan band's tumultuous divided successful 1987.

As fans speculated that The Smiths would put their arms down and reunite for a world circuit - conscionable arsenic chap Mancunians Noel and Liam Gallagher did - Morrissey alleged that Marr 'ignored nan offer'.

Morrissey besides claimed that Marr 'blocked' nan merchandise of a top hits album and acquired 'trademark authorities and intelligence property' of The Smiths, meaning he could circuit arsenic a set without nan original lead singer.

A connection from Marr's guidance explained nan musician had taken steps to trademark nan group's sanction 'following an effort by a 3rd party' to usage it and 'as a motion of goodwill', he had offered to stock that pinch his erstwhile bandmate.

The statement, which was shared connected societal media, read: 'Here are nan facts:

'In 2018, pursuing an effort by a 3rd statement to usage The Smiths' sanction – and upon find that nan trademark was not owned by nan set – Marr reached retired to Morrissey, via his representatives, to activity together successful protecting The Smiths' name.

'A nonaccomplishment to respond led Marr to registry nan trademark himself. It was subsequently agreed pinch Morrissey's lawyers that this trademark was held for nan communal use of Morrissey and Marr. 

'As a motion of goodwill, successful January 2024, Marr signed an statement of associated ownership to Morrissey. Execution of this archive still requires Morrissey to sign.' 

Adding to nan statement, Marr said: 'To forestall 3rd parties from profiting from nan band's name, it was near to maine to protect nan legacy. 

'This I person done connected behalf of some myself and my erstwhile bandmates.

'As for nan connection to tour, I didn't disregard nan connection – I said no.'

Despite Morrissey's claims Johnny could circuit nether nan set sanction pinch a different singer, his squad insisted that won't beryllium happening.

The connection read: 'Additionally, speculation astir Johnny Marr touring pinch a different vocalist arsenic The Smiths is not true. 

'There are nary specified plans.'

Meanwhile, erstwhile it came to nan projected caller top hits collection, Johnny felt it was unnecessary.

The connection concluded: 'Johnny Marr besides confirms that he declined a proposal for different top his compilation from Warner Music Group fixed nan number already successful existence'.

Both Marr and Morrissey person enjoyed successful careers since nan set was binned, but neither person reached nan highest of The Smiths - wide regarded to beryllium 1 of nan astir influential British indie bands of each clip aft forming successful 1982.