Swedish pop legends and Eurovision Song Contest winners Abba will not be getting out their spangly jumpsuits again, because a reunion would only disappoint their fans, former Abba singer Björn Ulvaeus was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

“I can understand that people are longing for Abba, but deep in my heart I know that they would be deeply disappointed if they saw us back up on the stage again today,” Björn Ulvaeus, 59, told Germany's Bunte magazine. “Just look at our videos,” he added. “That energy, that drive, that enthusiasm. You just wouldn't see that anymore if the four of us got on stage today. It's just not there.”

Abba was one of the most successful 1970s European pop groups. They won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo; their subsequent hits included Fernando, Dancing Queen, and The Winner Takes it All. The group split up in 1981. Four years ago they turned down an offer of 775 million Euro to re-form.

During the semifinal of this year's Eurovision Song Contest Abba had a virtual reunion. Doll-sized versions of Agnetha, Frida, Björn and Benny featured in Abba's The last video, with the real Abba members shown in cameo roles. A reunion for the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, to be celebrated on 22nd October in Copenhagen, can most likely now be ruled out for good.