When pop bands split, that is often the end of the road, leaving fans distraught they can no longer hear their favourite songs played live.

But for Birmingham’s UB40, the split has taken on a different meaning - fans can hear those songs once more but, if anything, are spoilt for choice as there are now two line-ups.

UB40 continue to tour while UB40 Reunited, featuring original band members Astro, Ali Campbell and Mickey Virtue, also perform in their own right.

Perhaps it is similar to a child choosing between mummy and daddy after the breakdown of a family but trumpeter and vocalist Astro says it is the fans he feels sorry for.

He says: "It is a bit weird for us it is more confusing for the fans really.

"We have made it clear on all of our advertising who they are coming to see but the other lot - we call them the dark side - never once announced it isn’t the original line-up.

"It is creating confusion but I try not to even think about them, we are just looking to the future now.

"If the fans want to see UB40 and hear the songs they love then look no further, we are the original vocalists.

"People know what they are going to get with us so it’s no competition really."

The band play Kew the Music at the Royal Botanical Gardens in July and although Astro has never visited, he cannot wait for the occasion.

"I’m really, really looking forward to coming to Kew," he says.

"I am hoping it is going to be a beautiful, sunny day and it will be great to see people having picnics - yeah, I’m really excited.

"I would prefer to perform outdoors all the time because you cannot beat England in the summer and I mean it when I say that."

Those are bold words from a man who is in the middle of a world tour which takes in far-flung outposts such as Kuala Lumpar and Papua New Guinea.

But the stage is where Astro is happiest and he admits he will take any excuse to avoid spending time in the studio.

He says: "I hate being in the studio, you can’t beat getting out there live and seeing everyone singing along.

"We don’t even rehearse some of the songs now.

"It’s because we have played them so much it gets boring but it is totally different when you are out there on stage and seeing the crowd’s reaction."

UB40 Reunited; Kew Gardens, Kew Road, Kew; July 10; tickets £44.50; visit kew.org for ticket information and more details.