James: 'Blur came back at the right time'

Alex James has said that Blur's live reunion has come at the right time for all the members of the band.

The bassist told NME that he originally thought that the group would never reform after they turned down the chance to play Glastonbury last year.

James said: "In terms of our lives, it's been the best possible thing for all of us to do, to be on our own for a bit.

"I think it's wicked it's happening at the right time, because we've all sort of worked out who we are anyway and I think we're coming to this with the same sense of joy and preconceptions that we had to start with."

Speaking about the band's upcoming shows at London's Hyde Park, singer Damon Albarn added: "It's all inclusive this ticket. You can get tired of stuff. That happens when you play a song a lot.

"It's what happens to any band in the world. It's why we're fortunate in a way to have a break for ten years, so to speak."