The Smiths' original members are “closer than ever” than to reuniting, according to reports.

The group, who formed in 1982, are understood to be in talks to headline next April's Coachella Festival in California.

An appearance at the event would be the first time Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce have performed together since 1987.

A source told the Sun newspaper: “It has looked impossible in the past but suddenly it all looks like it could happen.

“The buzz around the people who used to work for the band is they could play Coachella for a ludicrous amount of money.

“It’s closer than it ever has been. The split was a messy affair, but time’s a healer.”

It's understood that frontman Morrissey and Marr turned down a £2.8million bid from Coachella organisers to reform in 2006.

However, the newspaper claims that Morrissey's manager Irving Azoff is currently trying to persuade the band to reconsider.

A new best of, 'The Sound Of The Smiths', which has been titled by Morrissey and mastered by Marr, is due out next month.

(by Jason Gregory)