The Smiths were very close to reuniting in 2008

Despite being a constant rumour, a Smiths reunion has been seen as totally off the cards. Fans might want it, but the much-loved indie stalwarts are plenty busy with their own projects.

In a new feature with The Guardian, which includes an extract of upcoming book Set The Boy Free, Marr opens up about an encounter a few years ago that almost led to the beloved band reforming.

Marr writes that a reunion "was a very real prospect" after meeting with The Smiths' erstwile frontman Morrissey in 2008. The pair, "in a rare period of communication", met up in a pub to discuss the remasters that were happening at the time. Marr writes that "it was 10 years or more since we’d last met", and after catching up their conversation "turned to deeper things".

"There had been rumours for years that the Smiths were about to re-form, and they were always untrue," Marr writes. "I had never pursued any offer."

"Suddenly we were talking about the possibility of the band re-forming, and in that moment it seemed that with the right intention it could actually be done and might even be great," the guitarist continues. "I was genuinely pleased to be back in touch with Morrissey, and the Cribs and I talked about the possibility of me playing some shows with the Smiths. For four days it was a very real prospect. We would have to get someone new on drums, but if the Smiths wanted to re-form it would make a hell of a lot of people very happy, and with all our experience we might even be better than before."

Marr writes that it wasn't just a drunken 'what if' (he's teetotal for a start), and that "Morrissey and I continued our dialogue and planned to meet up again," but after heading to Mexico to play with The Cribs, something changed: "Suddenly there was radio silence. Our communication ended, and things went back to how they were and how I expect they always will be."

Maybe the conversation will pop up again next time they're forced to interact.