REM planned split for two years, say Michael Stipe and Mike Mills

REM have revealed that they had planned their separation for two years.

The 'One I Love' band, who announced their split last month after 31 years together, said that they had felt the end coming for a prolonged period.

Speaking on XFM radio, singer Michael Stipe said: "We'd been talking about it for a couple of years."

Bassist Mike Mills explained further: "It hadn't been an absolute final decision for a while but we were pretty sure it was coming for a good long time.

"At the same time that was strictly between the three of us and no-one else so we didn't let that out."

Mills recently stated that it is unlikely REM will make any kind of reunion.

> REM's Michael Stipe will not go solo, says Mike Mills
> REM split: Five career-defining tracks - video

Watch the video for REM's 1993 classic 'Everybody Hurts' below: