Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus defend Pierce Brosnan's singing

London, July 2 : Irish/American actor Pierce Brosnan's singing in the musical 'Mamma Mia!' has been defended by former ABBA stars Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.

A mention was made that Pierce Brosnan took part in the film despite not being able to sing, and it caused quite some consternation with the duo.

"Everybody complains that Pierce can't sing and it p***** me off. I think he has a great voice. He couldn't sing Nessun Dorma but neither could I - and I was in ABBA," The Sun quoted Andersson, as saying.

"It's like saying Bob Dylan can't sing. It's just not fair. He has a good voice," he said.

The movie, and the stage version that preceded it, would not have been possible if the two singers had not agreed to let their hits be used for the musical.

They are said to have turned down a billion dollars to re-form and, for ten stubborn years, rejected the idea of their hits being used for a musical.

In the end, the Swedish pair relented on the musical and 'Mamma Mia!' went on to earn 1billion pounds at theatre box offices worldwide.

The musical has been turned into a riotous film starring Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Colin Firth and well-known musical actor Pierce Brosnan.

ANI