Johnny Marr: 'Cameron's forbidden from liking the Smiths'

Johnny Marr was only 23 when he left The Smiths in 1987. Now in the year when he turns 50, he is releasing his debut solo album "The Messenger".

In between times, he has had spells in Talking Heads, The Pretenders and The The.

In 2007 he had his first ever US number one album after joining US indie group Modest Mouse.

Johnny Marr told the BBC's arts correspondent Colin Paterson about why he has now decided to go solo - and admitted that he is still angry David Cameron picked The Smiths on Desert Island Discs.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesday 19 February 2013.