Peter Hook has defended his decision to tour his former band Joy Division’s ‘Unknown Pleasures’ album.

The bassist has come under fire over the gigs, which did not include any of the band’s other members.

Last year, Primal Scream bassist Mani - who was a member of the now defunct Freebass with Hook - accused him of trying to fill his wallet with the “blood money” of Joy Division’s late singer, Ian Curtis.

But in an interview with BBC News, Hook said the tour was "all about celebrating what Joy Division meant to me and what Joy Division did for me".

The bassist, who is set to do the same with the band’s second album ‘Closer’, said people had been moved to tears at the gigs.

“A very wise man once said to me said that the people that come to see you will decide whether you live or die," he said.

"Everywhere we've been has been fantastic. We've not been bottled, we've not been stoned off. And if I had £1 for every 45-year-old bloke who was in front of me crying when you launch into ‘Insight’ or ‘New Dawn Fades’, I probably wouldn't have to do it in the first place."

Hook is also set to release an EP of Joy Division’s songs re-recorded with ex-Happy Mondays vocalist Rowetta.

(by Jason Gregory)