Veteran singer Morrissey has slammed reports he plans to retire in 2014 as "wishful thinking" by his critics.

The former The Smiths frontman, 53, was quoted in an interview with JuiceOnline.com as confirming a previous pledge to walk away from music at the age of 55, adding, "I am slightly shocked to have gone as far as I have."

Nevertheless, now he's laughed off the rumors and hinted he has no plans to retire.

In a statement, a spokesman for the singer writes, "Morrissey would like to stress that reports of his 'retirement', as excitably earmarked by several newspapers and websites, are 'wishful thinking' on behalf of the writers."