Billy McGuinness of rock band Aslan has hit out against Irish people who look down on U2. Despite the band's success, McGuinness feels U2 have never forgotten where they came from.

"In all my years in showbiz I have never met anyone nicer or kinder than Bono and the lads. There is a reason why they are one of the best bands in the world because they work so hard at it," McGuinness told the Sunday World. "When they are not touring the Edge goes into the studio to work every day. They are all multi-millionaires and don't have to, yet the rest of them all follow his work ethic."

"They are the most hard-working band I know and some Irish people need to give them credit for it. They are an example to all bands. Let's be honest most bands only last two to three years so U2 and Aslan are the exceptions to the rule," he added.

Aslan turn 40 next year. Their most recent album was their 2018 compilation Feel No Shame. McGuinness credits Aslan's decades together to the fact they did not make it big in the UK. He told the Sunday World "if we had cracked Britain, I honestly don't think we would be still together. The record company never gave us the chance and refused to release it off our new album at the time."

McGuinness has also expressed his want to get back on stage before the end of the year, "Aslan are a working band," he says. "Hopefully we can get back on stage and do live gigs again come the Autumn when everyone is vaccinated."