The million-selling band split last year after the pair had moved in different directions.
"I spoke to Daniel just before I came to Australia," Hayes, in Melbourne for a promotional tour, said yesterday.

"I said 'Now that everything's settled down how are you, what's going on?'. He said 'I really respect you, you're working really hard on this solo album, it's so much work, I couldn't do it'.

"And therein lies the reason why we aren't a band any more. You're dealing with two very different people.

"But Daniel said he got chills when he heard (Hayes' solo single) Insatiable. That's a pretty big deal for me. He's someone (whose) opinion I probably respect more than anyone."

Hayes says he was naive about the newsworthiness of the band's split, revealed in the Herald Sun last October.

"The reality is we probably should have had a press conference together and said 'Guess what, we're different people, we like each other though'. The way it occurred was not a strategic plan, it was a very honest thing. But we've definitely made our peace."

Hayes' debut album, Spin, has gone gold in Australia and entered the UK charts at No. 2 this week. "I've worked harder promoting this album than I've ever worked," Hayes said.

Hayes signs copies of Spin at the Virgin Megastore, Jam Factory, South Yarra today from 4pm.