How the devil are you?
A bit nervous, a bit scared.
I've come straight from rehab this morning.
I've been in the peace and tranquility of Wiltshire with just loads of trees
around me. And other drug addicts, of course. You sit around and talk, basically.
Just getting me head sorted out-things were a bit too fast for me. I'm off
everything apart from the fags and the coffee. I don't know if it's worked.
It works up until you take your first drink.
What was the first gig you went to?
Showaddywaddy, when I was 7...sixteen years ago. It was at the Queen's Hall in Burslem and me mum used to run the Red Lion pub round the corner. It was fantastic, well, as much as I can remember. I wanted the Teddy Boy outfit and everything but me mum wouldn't get me one because she thought I'd grow out of it.
What were you like at school?
The joker, I suppose. Very compliant. Quite passive. Got on with all the other
kids, never got bullied.
If you weren't a rock'n'roll star what would you be?
I'd like to think I'd be a footballer. Y'know, footballers think they'd like to
be rock stars and vice versa, but I'd like to think I'd be playing for...Juventus.
What's your most treasured material possession?
I don't know...I don't have anything that I treasure at all. They're just things.
I tend to buy an awful lot of stuff, like clothes and things. But I wouldn't
be bothered if my house burns down tomorrow.
What's the worst record you've made?:
There's been loads. I think the first two Take That albums. I'm proud of the
way we all maintained it, proud I'm a pop star and that, but I didn't think
much of music
When did you last cry?.
This morning when I was leaving rehab, 'cos I realised how much I owe my dealers.
What's you poison?
Nothing now. (Cliff Ridchard voice) I couldn't live without my music, man. Or me mum.
Who was the last person you punched?.
I've never, ever, raised a fist to anybody in my life. I'd love to say I was completely rock'n'roll and crazy, but I just wasn't. I wouldn't hit anybody and and I would be the first one to run
What characteristics have you inherrited from your parents?
My mother's tolerance and my father's addiction. My dad's an entertainments
managerat a hotel, and a comedian, too. Won New Faces in 1974, you know.
What's in your pockets right now?.
A lighter and that's it. How boring.
What is the last record you bought?.
Gary Barlow's album. I took it back. I felt sorry for the shop stocking it so
I just said, Listen, have this back, sell it on and I'll keep me money.
What are you most likely to complain about in a hotel?.
Girls knocking on me door. Trying to get out.
What's your culinary speciality?.
I can't cook to save my life. But I'm...yeah, I'm going on an Indian cookery course.
I want to learn how to cook Lamb Masala- they always make it with mutton and i
don't like that. So I'm going to make me own with proper lamb.
Pick five words to describe yourself.
Thinner. Passive. Compliant. Entertaining. Delirious.
What's your greatest fear?.
I can't say Stoke beating Port Vale, I'll get beat up when I get home. What is
my greatest fear? Erm...taking another drink.
Can you recite a line of poetry?.
"I met Jesus in a camper van/He said sorry to leave you, but I've done all I can /I suppose even the son of God gets it hard sometimes/Especially when he goes round saying I am the way." It's a song I started writing this morning, it's called I Am The Way.
Where are you off now?.
I'm off to do Top Of The Pops, for an old jolly-up. I enjoy it, I really do. I just enjoy entertaining, full stop. Whether it's TOTPs or walking down the street and somebody catches my eye- I just like entertaining.
Q Magazine, September 1997