Bono understands why people hate him.

The U2 singer - who is also known for his political campaigning - believes the reasons why he and the band are unpopular are the same things that make them interesting and appeal to others.

He said: "We're the most loved and hated band on earth. A lot of the reasons people don't like us - apart from myself, which I understand because I have to live with me too - are actually what make us interesting.

"It's the tangents, the explorations, the making mistakes in public. The audacity of thinking you can get involved in something like debt cancellation and being slagged off by your mates.

"Our diversions make us interesting. You might think, 'Get the singe rout of my face!' and I understand all the projectile vomiting aspects of shaking hands with politicians and having an interest in religion.

"But U2, love or hate them, all the things that shape or form the time, maybe not the fashionista but all the other things, we're right there. I hope that makes it an interesting spectator sport."

Bono always strives to do something new with U2 but can't help think he keeps making the same mistakes.

He added to Q magazine: "The spiritual principle that my life - and this band - is based on is rebirth, that you don't keep repeating the same mistakes. But I fear that's exactly what I do."