Lionel Richie has had a hip replacement.

The 65-year-old former Commodores singer was left with arthritis due to years of wearing platform boots and dancing around on stage so had the joint replaced three years ago.

He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''Since the Commodores days, we don't wear those big boots any more because of the knees and the ankles.

''I think about it now, and think, 'What was I doing?!' Every night, on stage, we'd jump from one riser to the floor. Craziness! What was I thinking?''

Lionel - who had the operation on his hip three years ago - was happy to praise the technology available to those who suffered from joint problems and says he is now ''better than ever''.

He added: ''I have had a little knee problem, a little hip problem, but not as bad as all that. Although I did have to have a hip operation three years ago and, honestly, I hardly remember which one it is now because technology is so amazing. I put it off for about a year then one day thought, 'Screw it, let it go' and had it done.

''So everything about me now is brand new. I'm bionic... well, no, not really, but the hip is better than ever and touring has been great. I don't even know I've got it.''