John Lydon expected "some kind of connection" with his former Sex Pistols bandmates after the death of his wife Nora.
The veteran rocker - who turns 70 next month - has not spoken to guitarist Steve Jones, bassist Glen Matlock or drummer Paul Cook in many years and his relationship with the rest of the group became even more frosty when they recently went back out on tour without him but Lydon has now admitted he expected his former friends to get in touch after he lost Nora.
Lydon told The Times newspaper: "I expected some kind of connection when Nora died, but nothing."
When asked if he would ever consider rejoining the band again, he said: "No".
He added of the band: "I still have a very great fondness for the chaps from that period [their hey day]. What they evolved - or devolved - into since is another consequence."
Lydon became a carer to his partner Nora before she passed away in April 2023 aged 80 after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018.
In the interview, he admitted losing her was the "greatest tragedy" of his life and his grief is complicated because he also feels a sense of "relief" as he no longer has to be a full-time carer.
He said: "[Nora's death[ is the greatest tragedy in my life so far. She taught me everything about love ...
"All my responsibilities have gone and left me, so it’s a horrible thing to say but there is a relief there".
He previously told the Metro newspaper about his difficulties coping in the aftermath of Nora’s death admitting he feels like "half" the man he used to be.
Lydon told the publication: "The truth of it is, I’m only half the person I was when she was alive."
He admitted about how his loss has had a huge impact on him: “That’s definite, I can feel that hollowness.”
He also revealed he initially turned to alcohol in the wake of her death, though he has since tried to move forward. He went on: “I’ve come out of wallowing in alcohol and sadness and self-pity. Which you can’t avoid, it just happens, it’s just in your nature."
