United Kingdom, May 25 -- Bono became the "class clown" in a bid to attract Ali Hewson.

The 65-year-old rock star has been married to Ali since 1982, but Bono had to fight off potential competition from The Edge - his U2 bandmate - during their school years.

Bono told 'The Project': "She did seem to be taking an interest in his guitar playing and, as hard as I might practise, I just knew I couldn't touch this guy.

"So I had to become, you know, the class clown."

Ali and The Edge were in the same year at school, and she still has a strong friendship with the rocker.

Bono quipped: "They're still really close - and they still talk about me behind my back.

"They say it's out of concern."

Bono previously admitted that Ali's life would h...