Writing in his new book, bassist Peter Hook has called Morrissey a “twat” and says he's never liked The Smiths.

The 53-year-old New Order and Joy Division bassist was speaking at a Q&A session in Bristol at the weekend where he was promoting his Hacienda book 'How Not To Run A Club' when he hit out at his fellow Mancunians.

"There's no way I could have liked The Smiths as they were our competition. Morrissey's a twat anyway. He makes Mark E Smith look popular! He really does," he said, according to NME.com.

Quipping further, Hook added: "What I do love about Mozzer though, is that any time anyone has any legal problem with him, the only person you can speak to about it is his mother! That's true.

“So if you have a problem you have to deal with Morrissey's mother. And the first thing she says is, 'Our Steven wouldn't do that!'."

As reported earlier today, Hook has revealed that he's been approached to re-record the 1990 New Order anthem 'World In Motion' for the World Cup in South Africa.

(by Scott Colothan)