It seemed the eighties belonged to Spandau Ballet. The poster boys of the New Romantic movement released six albums and notched up numerous hits before imploding in 1989 in a welter of acrimony.

Things were to become even more devisive a decade later when three of the band took a High Court action in a songwriting royalties dispute. Singer Tony Hadley was on the losing side when the judge ruled in favour of Gary Kemp, who got to keep his back royalties.

The three band members then had to sell their shares in the band's company to pay their legal costs. While The Eagles famously overcame their deep-rooted interband relationship problems and reformed, the odds on Spandau Ballet following suit were long.

Reborn

But they're back and tonight they start a tour in the O2.

"It's nice," says Tony Hadley, the personable frontman who claimed a place in the hearts of the British public when he won the Reborn in the USA reality television talent show in 2003.

"With age, and I hit the big 50 next year, I suppose we all start to take stock of our lives and it's nice to think that, before we get to the point where it's embarrassing to be on tour, we've made up and become friends again."

Hadley is happy to fit the Spandau Ballet itinerary into his busy schedule. Playing over 200 shows a year, Tony's swing album Passing Strangers has given him a life as a big band singer, something he relishes.

"The swing thing has taken over one side of my life," he says.

"Recently I've been in Barcelona with a jazz orchestra. And I've been doing swing concerts in Spain, Croatia, Denmark and France. And working with my own band.

"Next year I've got my new solo album coming out and I'll be doing the summer houses with the Tony Hadley Orchestra."

"I have a group and responsibilities as well," he explains. "I've been a solo artist longer than I was in Spandau Ballet, but I'm loving being back in Spandau."

Getting the old group back together wasn't as simple as it might seem.

"It wasn't easy," admits Tony. "It took a long time, a few years. I've said that John Keeble, the drummer, is the Henry Kissinger of pop because he was instrumental in getting us back together again.

"He sat in the middle of me and Gary when we had our first meeting and it was all fine. It didn't just happen. It's kind of weird."

Strong

"This is the hits tour," says Tony. "It's a very strong set. Every single song is a hit. It gives people what they want."

Happy to be singing with his old mates, Tony says, "Life is too short. In terms of rock bands carrying on when they're older, I don't know about that. But I don't want to give up singing. I can't ever imagine retiring. Whether I do that in a band format or as a swing singer I don't now."

Spandau Ballet play the O2 tonight

- Eamon Carr