They are two indie rock favourites from Manchester who have been feuding for years - and yet, unlike reunited Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, heaven knows these two remain miserable now when it comes to reconciling.
Devotees of The Smiths pleading to get what they want in the form of a reunion tour look set to remain disappointed as the decades-long dispute between Morrissey and Johnny Marr shows no sign of abating.
Guitarist Marr this week issued a social media statement pouring cold water on the prospects of a reunion which would seem even more startling than the recently-announced Oasis rapprochement between fellow Mancunians Noel and Liam.
Singer Morrissey, 65, had suggested he and his former friend were approached to go on tour as the Smiths next year, for the first time since splitting in 1987.
He claimed Marr, 60, ignored the approach and also accused his ex-bandmate of trademarking the Smiths' name which could prevent anyone else using it - continuing an ongoing squabble involving open letters, Instagram posts and claims of 'fake news'.
Johnny Marr, former guitarist with the Smiths, this week issued a statement in response to claims made by ex-bandmate Morrissey - he is pictured on-stage in Chicago in August 2007
Morrissey posted on his website about Johnny Marr apparently trademarking the Smiths' name
Morrissey (left) and Johnny Marr (right) formed the Smiths in Manchester in 1982
Singer Morrissey (centre), bass player Andy Rourke (left), guitarist Johnny Marr (right) and drummer Mike Joyce (back) are seen performing as The Smiths on Channel 4 show The Tube
Their exchanges this week are just the latest instalments in a war of words dating back almost 40 years to when the band broke up - with Marr complaining then about Morrissey wanting to cover kitsch 1960s songs by the likes of Cilla Black and Twinkle.
They were aligned again in the 1990s, albeit via lawyers in court when sued by fellow Smiths bandmates Mike Joyce and the late Andy Rourke in a royalties row.
And yet hostilities remain clear in the new barrage of statements which began with Morrissey, using his personal website, aiming jibes Marr's way - not only over a mooted reunion tour ...
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