The erstwhile guitarist and drummer, co-founders of the veteran US band but ex-members since 2002 and 2004 respectively, have declined to be interviewed for the project, which is being directed by Alan G Parker, who among other movies was responsible for last year's acclaimed Hello Quo!

"Gene and Paul were shocked at first, but now they don't seem to be," comments Parker. "There's been so much bitchiness down the years, and so much said about and done to Ace and Peter that they interpreted the request to be in the movie as a favour to Gene and Paul. Because of that they won't go anywhere near it. The negotiations were interesting to say the least."