The band’s return was a real prospect for about four days Marr reveals in autobiography.

In an extract from his autobiography, Set The Boy Free, Johnny Marr explains that he and Morrissey met up in September 2008 and seriously discussed reforming The Smiths before the idea was well and truly abandoned.

In an extract published by The Guardian today alongside an in-depth profile of Marr, the guitarist admits he was excited at the idea of reforming the band but eventually communication between him and Morrissey ended and “things went back to how they were and how I expect they always will be.”

In his interview Marr also touches on politics, noting that he and Morrissey were quite ideologically close in their youth but not so much today. Morrissey has made regular headlines in recent years for his politics and most recently called Brexit “magnificent”.

Marr also told The Guardian that of all the bands he has worked with over the years he enjoyed his time with US outfit Modest Mouse, with whom he worked from 2006 to 2009, the most.

Last week, The Manchester Evening News revealed that a long lost demo of Freak Party, a short-lived band featuring Marr and The Smiths’ Andy Rourke, had been found and would be released in the coming months.