"Politicians don't turn me on the way music does"

Bono has ruled out running for the Irish Presidency.

Answering a reader's question in the current issue of Hot Press, he says: "I don't think I could live with the paycut – or moving to a smaller house!"

He also dismissed reports of a prolonged sabbatical from U2 so that he can concentrate on political activism.

"Nothing comes close to the feeling of waking up with a melody in your head and having a band like U2 to help you capture it," he continues. "As I said at the Hot Press Awards, I don’t think of myself as a great singer but I sing from a great place. Politicians don't turn me on, the way music does. I have a lot more respect for them than I used to. They work a lot harder than I thought…but I don’t want to be one."

Ably assisted by Larry Mullen, Bono also addresses such Mixed Grill posers as "When's the new album out?"; "Did you really ride those horses in the 'New Year's day' video?"; and "What does that tattoo say on Larry's arm?"

So, off to the newsagents with you NOW!!