Brit-pop heroes Pulp have credited the tragic loss of a friend with their recent reformation. 

The 'Common People' stars got back together last November and are set to perform at this year's Reading and Leeds Festival, and frontman Jarvis Cocker explained to the NME that the death of someone close to them spurred on their reunion:

"You suddenly realise you can't take things for granted. I always thought we'd do something together again eventually, but when he died, I realised [we] should maybe grasp that opportunity,"

The band will play their first European festival date in Spain tomorrow, May 28, and Cocker revealed to BBC 6 Music that they can't wait to get back into it, adding jokingly:

"The favourite is usually wandering through a festival, then looking at your watch and realising you should have been on stage 10 minutes ago."

Watch the video for 'Common People' here: