Smash Hits H Interview

Were you always hyperactive ?

I've always been giddy. I remember what report card which said: " I feel Ian has his head in the clouds: he needs a sedative before he comes to school." That sums up my wholelife, actually.

Wasn't your mum a bit worried ?

My mother tried everything - I was off Coca-Cola, off orange juice, off E numbers....She couldn't control me, so she sent me to a drama group with a girl who lived next door. My mother knew I was in a controlled environment there.

What were you like at school ?

When I was younger, I had a lot of puppy fat and spiky hair. I was kind of a nerd. I got called names because I was into theatre and most, of the other boys were into sports. It seems nothing now, but it did affect me at the time. I had a lot of friends, but there was no romantic interest at school. I did send Valentine's cards, but I never really got any back. My mum always used to send me Valentines. Now I send them to her - with flowers.

Did anyone spot your potential ?

In English, when we were in fourth year, there was a boy called John who wrote an essay about a school reunion, saying, "So and so is going to be a dentist." Someone else was going to be a brain surgeon and he wrote about me coming back as a famous pop star!

What did you do after leaving school ?

Because I got an A in my art GCSE I applied for art college and did my foundation course, but I always wanted to act and do theatre. Most people where I lived just go along with everybody else, and I was pressured into art college, but then I stuck up for myself. ( Proudly ) I put my foot down and said I wanted to do singing and dancing, even though it wasn't a normal thing to do.

When you left to become a Redcoat at Butlin's, did it ever get to happy ?

I loved every second of it. I'd go back tommorow. Actually, one time, I performed the Lion King song I did on tour at Butlin's. It was awful - so bad. I had to go behind a rock and stick this huge headpiece on. It looked like a Marigold glove.

What was your worst setback in the theatre ?

Halfway through performing ( circus musical ) Barnum, I went to do a cartwheel on stage. Some guys were bringing the set up and I cut my ankle. My toes were swollen and I didn't do the show for a week. I was gutted because i'd trained so hard for it. I lay on the floor crying.

Were you concerned you'd get replaced and never return ?

No way. There's only one H!

While you were treading the boards, did you ever worry that you were just treading water ?

I was just plodding along, but i've always been quite happy-go-lucky. I've always lived in my own dream world - H World - and as long as I enjoy what i'm doing, I don't really care. I didn't particularly want to become famous: I just wanted to enjoy what I was doing. Success, rather than fame, is what i'm interested in.

Why did you learn circus tricks ?

Everyone thinks i'm this wonderful circus performer, but i'm not. I learnt tightrope walking and juggling for Barnum, but I could never do a bungee jump or anything like that. I'm a kid!

What about lion-taming ?

I've got to look after the girls in steps, don't I ? ( Bursts out laughing )

Do you remember the steps audition ?

I auditiones for a few things that day. I got offered singing on a cruise and Steps on the same day, and everyone thought i was mad for not taking the cruise. I was in H world again.

What were your first impressions of the rest of the band ?

Me and Lisa were stuck together because we were the Welshies, and we bonded straight away. My immeadiate reaction was that the girls were gorgeous! They all had fantastic voices. Lee was the total opposite of me, which is what we were looking for: sensible and cool. My first impressions of the four Steps were fantastic, and I haven't been proven wrong.

5-6-7-8 Wasn't the classiest single to start with ?

I thought 5-6-7-8 was going to be number one - that's how sad my life is! It's all H world! When we started we were buying Smash Hits just to see the tiniest mention of our name. We were all positive from the start, even though people tried to dismiss us as line dancers. You always remember those people. Now they've come crawling back and we say:      ( high voice, waving ) " Bye bye!"

So now you're a pop star ?

Well, everybody dreams of it, but I really don't think that i'm a pop star now. I'm just doing a job.

Over one million albums sold, 35 sell out arena gigs, the front cover of Smash Hits ?

I'm not famous at all! I'm not famous! I'm very lucky to be doing a job very sucessfully, but i'm not that famous. How many people get to do this? I'm so lucky. I'd recommend it to anybody!

But you get recognised, surely ?

If I want to go out for a drink, or go on the tube I just put a hat on and people will just talk to me as a person, not H Steps. I just call myself Ian.

So you don't really enjoy being famous ?

I'm kind of like Stephen Gately in a way. Me and Stephen get on really well: he loves singing and dancing, but he likes to shy away from the fame thing, and I do too. At the Brit Awards we were playing Nintendo, just chatting away. I'd much rather stay out of the limelight.

Now that you're famous, what about the extra " Freinds " ?

Being in this business, I have learnt who my friends are. I can tell when people are genuine or not - I've got a good instinct for that. ( sighs ) That old saying - that when you're famous, you don't change but the people around you do - is so true.

What about the tabloids writing about steps ?

That completely freaks me out. I'd be quite happy if they never wrote another word about us. I'd much rather just be in Smash Hits. I don't mind if they pick on us, but they snoop around your family and freinds. My freinds aren't doing this job, I am. I wish the tabloids would keep their noses out - I don't like them at all.

But you can't stop the attention ?

Steps is getting bigger and bigger, but the five of us are normal human beings. We're not angels and we're not really bad. Everything the tabloids have written about us has been untrue. That story about Lee and Claire going out together was absolute rubbish!

So you've become a godfather ?

( Excitedly ) I want to talk about my godson Ethan. The Christening is soon. Can you believe someone trusted me to do it? They have had his bedroom decorated in Winnie-The-Pooh stuff, so i'm going to buy him that.

And father of the bride ( sort of ) ?

I'm going to give away my best freind Billie ( not that one ). ( Proudly ) I'm qiute trustworthy, and i'm lucky to have friends who confide in me.

Fancy being a parent ?

I'd love to have kids! I'd be worse than them. They'd never get the toys off me. I can't wait - it'd be fantastic. I'd enjoy making them, too!

Speaking of which, do you have time for a relationship ?

( Sadly ) I have not really had a relationship for years and years. It's not through choice: its just that nobody wants me.I have not had a relationship since this job began, but i can imagine how hard it would be. If the right person came along, and they were understanding, let's go for it. Answers on a post card please.......

Admit it: there's a more serious side to you. Isn't there?

I do have a serious side which just my friends see, but I like to have an air of mystery about me.

You're more sensible than you look on, aren't you ?

My head is screwed on and I won't let people walk all over me.I've even got a financial advisor.

What do you do to relax ?

For the past six months, I have done meditation and that clears my head. It's very relaxing, and you shouldn't knock it until you've tried it.

Do you ever think about death ?

( Shivers ) I don't want to talk about that. My Gran passed away recently, so that's not a nice subject. I'm not ready to wear black yet. I'm quite colourful and like my monkey T shirts too much !

Are you and Lee still going to get less attention than the others ?

Our time will come, I'm singing a duet with Claire, When I Said Goodbye, at Christmas, and next year I might sing lead on a single.

When will you leave Steps ?

I can't imagine life without Steps. I can't believe I'm in a band. How many people get to perform at the Brits, meet Madonna and be on the front cover of Smash Hits ?