Mikey's Gone all angelic with his first solo single, but is he as good as he makes out?

Heaven Sent!

TV Hits Magazine, June 2000

So is it scary being out there on your own?

I find it more exciting actually. Before Boyzone, I was in other bands and played loads of gigs, even thought it might only have been to a couple of hundred people or whatever, and I loved it. Obviously with Boyzone i wasn't taking a front role, so you kind of become relaxed in your background position... But i've always been into music and songwriting, even throughout Boyzone, and now that the ball's back in my court, so to speak, i'm kind of like, 'yeah, now i can do what i was meant to do...' and i can't wait!

Will you be keeping up your squeaky dean pop image?

I don't know if i ever had a squeaky clean image myself, it's just that nobody know what i got up to! I'm 27, i'm old enough to have a drink or whatever, but i was never the type of person to make a public display of myself. We have a young audience, so you do have to be careful of what they see you do.

What's the nicest thing someone's done work-wise?

There've been a lot of things along the way... But i love it when somebody does something genuine from the heart. Like when my mother was sick a couple of years ago, a lot of kids were really worried about her and sent cards and flowers to the house and that was nice, that was genuine...

And what was your kindest deed when you were in Boyzone?

There've been many things. I don't want to sound all saintly or anything, but there've been times when people I know have had sick children and you pop in to see them in hospital, just out of the blue. I think it's because i'd do anything for my little girl, and i try to imagine how i'd feel if the shoe were on the other foot.

Where you always polite to the fans?

I'd like to think i was, but obviously we're all only human and you have your good days and your bad days. But it's important to be professional about it. I'd like to think that i've always been pleasant to everyone i've met, but i'm sure there's someone, somewhere who'll have something different to say!

You must have led a bit of a rock 'n' roll life though...

Yeah i have. Can you not tell by me eyes, he he?! All those late nights and early mornings for years! We definitely had our share of wild times without a doubt, there's nothing squeaky clean there at all...

What's your biggest vice?

Well, i've tried my best to give up all my bad habits. I've given up smoking, i did give up biting my nails, but they're a bit short a t the moment and i've started running and exercising and stuff like that, to keep myself healthy - but it's killing me, heh heh!

Where you a boy scout?

I was year, for years. I got a few badges for lighting fires alright! We were called the 51st Kilmore Troupe!

When was the last time you gave up your seat for an old lady?

Believe it or not, it was the other day on the tube in London! I've really gotten into travelling on it lately. At the risk of sounding big headed, for the last six years, it's all been kind of glamourous but i just got tired ofr sitting in traffic, and my girlfriend's a real ' tubette', so we just jump on it - it's great! I never get any hassle, cos to be honest, i don't think people actually notice me! I don't know what it is but it feels like i've been given something back... I was alays the odd one but when it came to things like that, i'd just do my own thing. I go to my local pub back home and i'll sit with all the old lads in front of the fire and we'll get the guitars and bodhran out and jam away! Irrespective of your fame, i don't think you have to keep yourself hidden away and i think it gives you more incentive to write songs when you watch people around you and see real life...

Does having money give you the right to act how you please?

No it doesn't! Unfortunately some people think it does. They think they can order people around just cos they'r rich. But on the other hand it's amazing the idea that some people already have of you before they've met you. If you're famous and have money, they think you're this, or that, and that's very upsetting.

Have you ever acted in a way that you later regretted?

Ahh yeah, in fact more so in the last year.. I've always been quite reserved but if i've had a few fizzy pops i'll let my hear down a bit, then i'll wake up the next morning and think 'what the heck did i do last night?!' Something you just put your foot in it and say something yo shouldn't have... But we're all human and we all make mistakes.

Who's the angel in your song?

The song's about my daughter Hannah, she's the angel in my life. I wrote it about eight months ago in Dublin. It's really sweet cos all she does now is sing 'you're my angel' = it's like when we call round to my mother's she whispers, 'daddy, when nanny opens the door let's start singing it', so i have to stand there singing 'you're my angel'! She's great, she's all singing and dancing now.. Would i mind if she went into the showbiz? if it's what she wants. I'll support her all the way!

Are you a good dad?

Well i try my best! Once you have children youll do whatever you can for them..

What makes a girlfriend an angel?

Girlfriend-wise, it would have to be someone who'd give you what an angel gives you.. An angel is there to take care of you and has your best interests at heart, and maybe even to have unconditional love for you personally and not the fame, money or anything else you might have.

So hwo bright is your halo at the moment?

Oh i don't know.. i think my halo's titled over and hanging off at the moment! I don't think it glows too brightly anymore either. It used to but then again it might be boring being a good angel and gaving a halo, I think people have seen enought halos around here for the moment - and that's all i'm saying!