UB40’s Robin Campbell and Jimmy Brown have claimed that ‘all the money in the world’ could not persuade them to reunite with the group’s former singer Ali Campbell. 

The reggae band, formed in Birmingham in 1978, have sold more than 70 million records worldwide and achieved three number one singles in the UK.

Founding member Ali left the group in 2008 after 30 years, in which time he sang on all three chart-topping tracks including Red Red Wine, leaving seven remaining in the band.

The lead vocalist initially cited a desire to focus on his solo work but later revealed the departure was mainly a result of management and business disputes. 

Co-founders Mickey Virtue and Astro joined Ali in the years that followed, with the trio naming their new group UB40 prompting a bitter dispute.

And it seems the ill-feeling remains with Robin and Jimmy making it clear just how unlikely they are to get back together with their former bandmate, in an interview with The Trawl podcast.

UB40’s Robin Campbell and Jimmy Brown have claimed that ‘all the money in the world’ could not persuade them to reunite with the group’s former singer Ali Campbell (pictured)

The reggae band, formed in Birmingham in 1978, have sold more than 70 million records worldwide and achieved three number one singles in the UK

Jimmy told the show: ‘All the money in the world wouldn’t get us to do that. The conclusion I’ve come to in the end is that he’s done us some big favour. 

‘We’ve got a brilliant singer [Matt Doyle]. He’s fantastic and he’s only 30. He’s got a fantastic voice, and you can rely on him. He doesn’t get boozed up every night.’

The drummer also lifted the lid on what influenced the frontman’s departure from the band 17 years ago.

‘What was happening was there was less and less records being sold with the rise of technology,’ he said. ‘And we were having to тιԍнтen our belts. 

‘Ali got himself a new squeeze, a new girlfriend, you know, and rejected his family. And he was trying to impress, he was like Mike Tyson in a jewellery shop.

‘I think he made the calculation, you know, encouraged by his girlfriend and our ex-manager, and made the calculation that maybe if he was to dump the band then he could go out and still live the same pop star life he’d been used to living for 20 years. 

‘Unfortunately, the tour that he booked at that time under his own name just bombed.’

Robin meanwhile insisted Ali’s departure did not represent a family feud and was strictly business. 

Jimmy Brown lifted the lid on what influenced the frontman’s departure from the band 17 years ago

Brother Robin insisted Ali’s departure did not represent a family feud and was strictly business

Founding member Ali left the group in 2008 after 30 years, in which time he sang on all three chart-topping tracks including Red Red Wine, leaving seven remaining in the band

Read More UB40’s Ali Campbell reveals Scottish H๏τel turned him away due to clan hatred dating back to 1692

‘I’ve said this so many times, but it wasn’t a family fall out. It wasn’t brothers falling out,’ he said. 

‘He left the band. And he was also closer to several members of the band than he was to me, even though he was my kid brother. For instance, Brian Travers, our sax player who’s pᴀssed away, they were best pals from the age of 10, 11 years old. 

‘The advice he [Robin and Ali’s dad] gave me when we formed the band, about sharing everything equally… that was mᴀssively influenced by my dad’s politics. Mᴀssively. Our whole ethos was. And Ali was influenced in the same way. 

‘And for him to turn his back on that whole idea was just ridiculous.’