Phil and Joanne, a couple for eight years, split but the band didn't and weathered the storm. "It was fine with me and Joanne," says Phil.. "She's very practical, very down to earth.

Susan and I can be a bit flaky, but for real solidity, Joanne's the one."

The turnaround for The Human League fortunes came in 1998 with a phone call from 80s mate Boy George and an invitation to join a lucrative Rewind tour of America.

Phil, Joanne and Susan said yes and it was the kick start they needed to remind fans just how special they were. The association with Martyn and Ian has remained loose ever since.

The band went on to headline their own tours worldwide and now they're in the midst of a major UK tour after a summer spent playing festivals alongside bands barely born in their heyday.

But, at 50, Phil says he still harbours an ambition. "To turn us into the best live act in the world. "We came out of David Bowie and Roxy Music and glam," he explains, "and we're never going to be able to not do the performance side of it. I think it's probably quite embarrassing, a bit like your dad dancing at a wedding, but it's what we do. We believe in show and we're lucky to have such a catalogue to perform.

"And we'd never get precious about doing those songs. I think we've always been a little too common and working class for that."

* THE Human League play Southport Theatre tomorrow.