The former bandmates parted company in 1983 following the recording and touring of Whitesnake's Slide It In album. Coverdale recently said he'd tried to make contact with Moody to settle their differences, but the guitarist "feels there's too much water under the bridge, and presumably he would rather not shake my hand."

Now Moody has responded to the comments. He tells Classic Rock: "I've just been alerted to an article on Classic Rock's news page which reads 'Micky Moody won't shake my hand.' Although it pales into insignificance when placed alongside Ozzy's 'I bit the head of a bat' show-stopper, I feel I should respond that I have my own reasons for not wishing to re-establish a working relationship.

"To set the record straight, the reporting of comments regarding my return to Whitesnake in 1983 are somewhat inaccurate.