Sting reformed Police to surprise fans

British rocker Sting reformed The Police nearly a quarter of a century after they split to surprise his fans.

The Roxanne hitmaker, who left The Police to focus on his solo career in 1984, reunited the band to satisfy a long-standing urge he could no longer suppress.

He says: "The logic of leaving the band when it was the most successful band in the world was odd. I needed the freedom to write songs on a wider palette and I did that for the next 25 years. Every time I had a successful album, The Police went further away.

"Then one day I woke and said now is the time to deal with this thing.

"I'd just done this lute album that was more successful that I could have ever imagined. I could do another one but that would be painting myself into a corner.

"Do I want to do another Sting record? I thought, I'm not ready. What will really surprise people, really surprise me?

"What kept coming into my head was: 'Phone the boys.' Then I made the call. They were thrilled and so am I."

The Police reunion tour kicks off in Vancouver, Canada in May.