ABBA star Anni-Frid Lyngstad was “surprised” to hear Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus announced that the group is retiring.

The Swedish supergroup topped the UK charts with their record-breaking ninth album ‘Voyage’ – the band’s first in 40 years – with fans eager for more. 

But in a recent interview, the pair said of their first album in 40 years: “This is it… It’s got to be, you know.

“I didn’t actually say that, ‘This is it’ in 1982,” Benny added of the group’s initial separation. “I never said myself that ABBA was never going to happen again. But I can tell you now: this is it.”

However, speaking to Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2, the singer, who goes by Frida, was quick to backtrack on the comments, insisting: “We have probably said this must be the last thing we do… Thinking of our ages, you know, we are not young any longer and you never know. 

“But I’m saying, you never know, so don’t be too sure,” she hinted.

In a review of the album, Retro Pop called ‘Voyage’ “a fitting closing chapter in the tale of Sweden’s best-loved musical export”.

‘Voyage’ is available on CD, vinyl and cassette.