Tell us about your album, Life Thru A Lens.
I'm immensely pleased with it, really proud. I like listening to good music - and I can't stop playing my album.
Are you all psyched up for you first solo tour next month?
Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it. The really great thing about this time is that nothing is scripted, it'll be different every night. Not even I know what will happen once I get behind the microphone. I've been working hard though - ironic seens as my last single was Lazy Days. Every spare moment I get is taken up with writing the second album - I don't want it to stop. I had a good couple of years off going to parties, doing what I wanted, now it's time to work. I've just discovered I'm in the best industry in the world.
If you were a dog, would you be a (south fo the) Border Collie?
I'd be a black labrador - I'm a bit like that when I'm drunk, big, floppy and cuddly, that sort of tackle.
Are you a fan of North And South?
The norht (eh?). To me south of the border is south of Watford - I am a northerner, pround of it. I actually wrote this song on Stoke On Trent train station - it's inspired by British Rail coffee. I was on my way down to London to pick up my stuff and move back to my mum's.
You're living with your mum, what does she call you when you're naughty?
I'm Robert to my mum at home, always have been, always will. I don't mind what other people call me - and I've been called a few things.
What makes you laugh?
Me at the minute. I've having a good time with myself. I've just realised I'm a pop star, only just realised it, I'm going to enjoy every day and whatever's thrown at me. It's just a laugh, the fact me being from Tunstall and being this pop star - other people find it funny. I find it hilarious. I'm not really a practical joker, I will be on tour. I never was, but I became Joker That, it would have been my nickname, like Posh Spice. It should have been, 'Would the last one to leave turn the lights off' That or 'I can't believe I'm getting away with this' That, ha, ha.
You should be a stand up comic.
I can do anything I want to do really, I might as well. I don't want this to fall flat on its face before I've tried everything I can. I'm turning down scripts and TV shows, I'm really happy with music and really enjoying it. I've never been more excited.
Smash Hits, September 1997