Sting doesn’t believe “any grown man” can be in a band.

The 70-year-old singer was a member of The Police from 1977 to 1983 before the trio – which also included Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers – broke up and the ‘Every Breath You Take’ hitmaker thinks staying in a band for so long prevents a artist to be able to “evolve”.

He told MOJO magazine, “I don’t think a grown man can actually be in a band.

“A band is a teenage gang. Who wants to be in a teenage gang when you’re 70? It doesn’t allow you to evolve.

“You have to obey the rules and the gestalt of the band. Even though I love the Stones and AC/DC, it’s hard to see any growth in their music.

“For me the band was just a vehicle for the songs and not the other way around.”

If things had turned out differently for Sting and his 1985 debut solo album, “The Dream of the Blue Turtles,” had failed, he “hopes” he wouldn’t have returned to the band.

He said: “Andy and Stewart had both made albums without me, so that was my right too.

“I recruited a group from the jazz world and I was lucky that it was a success.

“I have no idea what would have happened if it hadn’t been successful.

“Would I have gone back to the band and eaten a humble pie? I hope not.”

The “Fields of Gold” singer – whose real name is Gordon Sumner – briefly reunited with his former bandmates in 2003 for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and again in 2007 for a reunion tour, but he insisted he wouldn’t do it again as there is still a “power struggle” between them.

He said: “It was a huge hit but I wouldn’t do it again. It would be a bridge too far.

When asked if he regretted the tour, he added: “No, absolutely not. I mean, it was difficult because the power struggles were still very apparent but we got through it and people absolutely loved it…

“We always communicate on birthdays. We have separate lives but it’s very cordial. I’m very grateful to these guys and their immense talent, and their patience with me. I love them.”