Stone Roses reunion inspired Happy Mondays comeback

Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder has revealed how he reunited his band after becoming inspired by the Stone Roses return.

The Manchester rapper/singer has told how, after the Stone Roses reformed, he was flooded with offers to do the same. The choice to make a comeback was, he says, a 'no brainer'.

"You have probably got the Stone Roses to thank for that. After they announced their shenanigans our manager's phone started going silly. We were getting offers in from all over the place," Ryder revealed to the Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper. "To do it again we had to consider doing something different. It was a bit of a no-brainer - get the original band together. It's been 19 years since we were last all together."

He also confirmed that band's legendary dancer, and 2005 Celebrity Big Brother champion, Bez would be reprising his role in the band now he was nearly 50 years old. Bez had previously denied he would join the band, stating that "Sometimes you've got to hang your boots up gracefully."

Ryder however, claims Bez has now agreed to rejoin the group.

"I was quite optimistic about it. The only person I thought would not do it was Bez," Ryder said. "He's pushing 50, although he's as fit as a 25-year-old. I thought perhaps he did not feel he should be doing it. But we told him, 'Bez, we all love you,' and he agreed to it."

Happy Mondays previously announced a string of reunion dates. For more information and to buy tickets, visit Gigwise Gig Tickets.