Morrissey has announced he is selling all of his business interests in The Smiths

In his post, Morrissey said: "I am burnt out by any and all connections to Marr, Rourke, Joyce. I have had enough of malicious associations.

"With my entire life I have paid my rightful dues to these songs and these images. I would now like to live disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction, and this is the only resolution."

He continued: "The songs are me - they are no one else - but they bring with them business communications that go to excessive lengths to create as much dread and spite year after year. I must now protect myself, especially my health."

The Smiths, who rose to prominence in the 1980s, featured Morrissey as frontman alongside guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce.

A listing on Morrissey's site titled Soul for Sale invited investors to contact him directly.

It included "full and exclusive rights" to the name 'The Smiths', along with all artwork, merchandising rights, songs, synchronisation rights, recordings and publishing contracts linked to the group.

Morrissey currently shares 50 percent of The Smiths' rights with Johnny Marr, 61.

Johnny has previously said he turned down what he described as an "eye-watering" offer for the group to reunite, citing political and personal divisions.

The pair clashed last year over ownership of the band's trademark, with Johnny dismissing Morrissey's claim he had secured rights without consultation.

A spokesperson at the time said lawyers for both agreed the trademark should be jointly held.

Morrissey's announcement comes shortly after Mike Joyce, 62, revealed plans to release a memoir titled The Drums in November.

Morrissey's career has faced difficulties in recent years.

Record label BMG cut ties with him in November 2020 - a decision the singer said was linked to the company's "new plans for diversity".

He completed his 14th solo album, Bonfire of Teenagers, in 2021, with its title track referencing the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.

Although initially due for release under Capitol Records in February 2023, Morrissey said at the end of 2022 he had "voluntarily" parted ways with both the label and his management, and claimed the record was being withheld.