droe
2nd Apr 2004, 15:16
By SINEAD O'NEILL
AS one-fifth of bestselling popstars Steps, you'd have thought Ian 'H' Watkins would have had his fill of cheesy costumes and catchy dance routines.
But when he was asked to play the title role in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, the chirpy singer jumped at the chance.
And in an exclusive webchat with Sun Online, the former Butlins Redcoat told us he's never been happier.
H - who also scored a string of Top 10 hits with bandmate Claire -revealed his feelings on the Steps split and told us what he really thinks about his former colleagues' new careers.
And while the Welsh warbler says there's no chance of the band getting back together, he told us all about the fun they had, including the night he received some TLC from famous faces Missy Elliott and Mary J Blige.
So read on to find out more about pop's practical joker, including which celebrities H would love to share a house with and why he feels strange to be finally singing live.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi H - I caught Joseph the other day. How are you enjoying it so far?
David, Macclesfield
Working in theatre is a different experience for me - I'm used to performing in arenas and on TV with in-ear monitors so it's strange to be singing live.
I found it tricky at first but it's starting to come together now and I'm really enjoying it.
There's been a complete cast change since I joined the show which is nice because it means I haven't started on my own and been made to feel like the new guy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How do you feel to be stepping into the shoes of Darren Day, Jason Donovan and Stephen Gately who have all played the role of Joseph before you?
Kieran, Wolverhampton
One of my first roles was actually in Joseph - I played Benjamin (Joseph's youngest brother) when I was just starting out in showbiz.
Getting the part of Joseph himself has always been a dream for me and I can't believe I've finally landed it.
To be honest, I haven't paid any attention to the people who have played the part before me - I just want to do my best and if the audience likes it, great, but I don't feel under any pressure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you ever regret leaving Steps and was there bad feeling when you broke up?
Jenny, Gillingham
I never regret anything - there's no point.
There was a bit of bad feeling when we split but if I had to do it all again, I'd do the same.
At the end of the day, all good things have to come to an end and that's what happened with us. I can't see us getting back together in the future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you think you will ever work with Claire again as a duo?
Neill Christie-Hewitt
I would love to work with Claire again but at the minute, our mindsets are very different.
Claire wants to be Celine Dion while I'm happy doing what I've always wanted to do. But I am singing a duet on her album and hopefully she'll sing with me in the future.
I'm definitely leaving the door open for a reunion. We still have our record deal so never say never!
H Steps into our office
H ... any question will do
By SINEAD O'NEILL
AS one-fifth of bestselling popstars Steps, you'd have thought Ian 'H' Watkins would have had his fill of cheesy costumes and catchy dance routines.
But when he was asked to play the title role in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, the chirpy singer jumped at the chance.
And in an exclusive webchat with Sun Online, the former Butlins Redcoat told us he's never been happier.
H - who also scored a string of Top 10 hits with bandmate Claire -revealed his feelings on the Steps split and told us what he really thinks about his former colleagues' new careers.
And while the Welsh warbler says there's no chance of the band getting back together, he told us all about the fun they had, including the night he received some TLC from famous faces Missy Elliott and Mary J Blige.
So read on to find out more about pop's practical joker, including which celebrities H would love to share a house with and why he feels strange to be finally singing live.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi H - I caught Joseph the other day. How are you enjoying it so far?
David, Macclesfield
Working in theatre is a different experience for me - I'm used to performing in arenas and on TV with in-ear monitors so it's strange to be singing live.
I found it tricky at first but it's starting to come together now and I'm really enjoying it.
There's been a complete cast change since I joined the show which is nice because it means I haven't started on my own and been made to feel like the new guy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How do you feel to be stepping into the shoes of Darren Day, Jason Donovan and Stephen Gately who have all played the role of Joseph before you?
Kieran, Wolverhampton
One of my first roles was actually in Joseph - I played Benjamin (Joseph's youngest brother) when I was just starting out in showbiz.
Getting the part of Joseph himself has always been a dream for me and I can't believe I've finally landed it.
To be honest, I haven't paid any attention to the people who have played the part before me - I just want to do my best and if the audience likes it, great, but I don't feel under any pressure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you ever regret leaving Steps and was there bad feeling when you broke up?
Jenny, Gillingham
I never regret anything - there's no point.
There was a bit of bad feeling when we split but if I had to do it all again, I'd do the same.
At the end of the day, all good things have to come to an end and that's what happened with us. I can't see us getting back together in the future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you think you will ever work with Claire again as a duo?
Neill Christie-Hewitt
I would love to work with Claire again but at the minute, our mindsets are very different.
Claire wants to be Celine Dion while I'm happy doing what I've always wanted to do. But I am singing a duet on her album and hopefully she'll sing with me in the future.
I'm definitely leaving the door open for a reunion. We still have our record deal so never say never!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Split ... star with his former bandmates
You and Claire are still close but do you still keep in touch with Faye, Lee and Lisa? What do you think about what they have been up too since the band parted?
Bradley
When Steps split, it was because our minds were in different places and we needed time away from each other to decide what to do.
Now that we've spent time apart, I've received texts, flowers and phone calls from the guys and that has been great.
They haven't been to see me in the show yet but they are coming in the next few weeks and it'll be fantastic to meet up.
With regards to what the rest of the band are doing, everyone is at different stages of their careers - whether they're happy with what they've chosen is not for me to decide.
I'm happy with what I'm doing and that's enough for me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is your most memorable moment from your time in Steps?
Ffion, North Wales
It's difficult to pick one memory from my time in the band because I when I look at all we achieved, I still can't believe it!
I've got so many discs, books and photos of people we met and it's hard to believe that it was really me, it seems like a lifetime ago.
One particular moment however was when we attended the MTV Awards in Dublin a few years ago.
I had the worst flu ever and although everyone was going out afterwards, I felt awful.
I decided to get a limo at the end of the night so there I was with Alicia Silverstone on one side, Mary J Blige and Missy Elliott on the other, all fussing around me because I didn't feel well.
A very surreal moment!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H - did you find during your time in Steps that you had to tone down your lifestyle because a lot was expected from you?
Sam, Halifax
I mightn't be Snow White but I'm not a bad person so it was never really a problem for me.
But since I started Joseph, I've noticed how much I swear and because there are kids involved in the show - and the audience - I've had to bite my tongue a lot.
Being a role model was not something I consciously worried about during my time in Steps.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You were always the practical joker in Steps - what's the best stunt you've ever pulled?
Carla, Birmingham
I do have a reputation as a joker but I'm having to hold myself back during Joseph.
I'm dressed in just a loincloth for most of the show so I'm very careful that the cast don't try anything in front of the audience - it would be all too easy to remove a strip of Velcro!
When we were in Steps, I played practical jokes on Claire, Faye and Lisa all the time.
The best was when I put Sellotape over their door before they went to the gym one morning and they walked straight into it.
It was childish but very funny!
They soon got their own back though by sawing the legs off my bed!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi H - what has the reaction to Joseph been like from the audience so far?
Rachel, West London
Hi Rachel - the audience have been really positive since I started.
Apparently, sales have increased since I made my debut and it's such a great feeling to go to work and enjoy what I'm doing.
Having the audience appreciate it is a bonus and it means the world to me.
But it's a different reaction from when I was in Steps because when we were on stage as a band, our routines were so energetic and we didn't sing live.
In theatre however, people expect to hear you sing. It's hard work because you have to project your voice and work on your stamina but it's so much more rewarding.
The end of Joseph does feel like a mini Steps concert though - there are so many reprises and they just keep getting bigger and better all the time!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are the dance routines in Joseph harder than those in Steps?
Richard, Manchester
I haven't actually got any dance steps in Joseph because most of the action happens around me.
It's more vocally demanding than physically difficult but I do miss the dancing.
I can still remember all my moves from Steps - I'll never be able to forget them!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dream come true ... H as Joseph
Is it embarrassing appearing on stage for Joseph dressed in just a loincloth?
Jo
After the first week, I stopped thinking about it.
I was worried at first because I'm not the kind of person who shows themselves off at the beach. But once you get used to it, it's OK.
That doesn't mean I feel comfortable though - I worked out loads to get in shape for the part.
I use the treadmill every day and watch what I eat - it's been hard but good for me.
I do still treat myself but I'm generally very strict!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What was it about the role of Joseph that attracted you in the first place?
Harry, Carlisle
I love Andrew Lloyd Webber's music and Tim Rice's lyrics and I felt Joseph was the perfect show for me.
It's the ultimate popular musical and, coming from a pop music background with Steps, it feels like a natural progression.
I actually met Tim Rice a few years ago when he came to a Steps concert at Wembley. He presented us with a disc for the Biggest Arena Tour and had his picture taken because he said he was a big fan.
I later heard he hung it in his downstairs loo - so now everyone who uses Tim Rice's toilet looks at us when they have a pee!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Were you given a new loincloth to play Joseph or is it the same one everyone else wore? I hope you washed it if it is!
Nina, Portsmouth
I've got lots of loincloths for this show - silver ones, gold ones, tattooed-on ones!
I did get them especially remade for the show - no cast-offs for me!
It was the same for the famous coat - everyone who plays Joseph is a different size and as I'm quite slim, I had to get a new one made just for me!
Where did the H come from and would you go back to your real name Ian Watkins for more serious roles?
Lisa, Kent
H stands for Hyperactive which has been my nickname since I was nine.
I am billed as Ian 'H' Watkins for Joseph but I'll always be known as H to my friends and family.
I might go back to using my surname in the future but I think H will always stick with me, mainly because I'm still as hyper as ever!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's the best present a fan has ever given you?
John, Kidderminster
I've had everything - perfume, teddy bears, flowers - but one in particular sticks in my mind.
I received a letter from a little girl who was terminally ill.
She wrote about going to a Steps concert and how much she had enjoyed the show. I met her and stayed in touch. We wrote to each other and she would tell me about her illness.
She eventually passed away but I kept all her letters and still have them along with the other mementos of my time in the band.
It's things like that which make it all worthwhile, knowing how much keeping in touch meant to her.
But we also got a lot of strange gifts - our fans in Japan for example used to give us cockroaches because they are a symbol of good luck. Thankfully they were plastic not real!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What did you think about being voted 8th Most Annoying Person in Britain in Channel 4's Worst Britons poll?
Sarah
I didn't actually know anything about the show until I read it in the papers the next day.
To be honest, I'm quite chuffed that people felt so strongly about me that they bothered voting!
Thank you everyone - I just want to know who came above me!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi H, are you single at the moment and would you ever go out with a fan?
Katie, Huddersfield
I am single and as for going out with a fan, why not?!
I did get my share of romantic letters and gifts while I was in Steps but it's never been the right time for me, I've just been too busy!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi H, I read somewhere that you were bullied. How did you cope with it and what advice would you give to someone in the same position?
Gail, Richmond
I think every child is bullied at some stage and I was picked on because I preferred singing and dancing when my friends were busy playing football.
I didn't care - I've always been my own person and never wanted to follow the crowd. As far as I'm concerned, I followed my dream and I'd advise anyone else in a similar situation to do the same.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Go go go Joseph ... H in our office
If you could be in the Big Brother house with absolutely any celebs, dead or alive, who would you choose?
Kirsty
I'd choose Jennifer Saunders and Rusty Lee - a TV chef who no-one remembers but who I found hilarious.
I would also ask Paul O'Grady (Lily Savage) and Claire Sweeney - who are both good friends of mine - along and maybe the Krankies so I could have two for the price of one!
I have been asked to do Celebrity Big Brother before but I've always been too busy.
Shows like Big Brother and I'm A Celebrity are only really good for people who want to be famous - that isn't me, I love what I do and fame is just a by-product of that!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is it true that you're going back to college this year?
Stephanie, Durham
Yes, it's something I've always wanted to do and I've realised that you don't get anything in this world unless you work for it.
I'm going to study musical theatre at the Royal Academy Of Music and I'm very nervous. I can't wait though - this year couldn't get any better for me!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,7-2004141240,00.html)
AS one-fifth of bestselling popstars Steps, you'd have thought Ian 'H' Watkins would have had his fill of cheesy costumes and catchy dance routines.
But when he was asked to play the title role in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, the chirpy singer jumped at the chance.
And in an exclusive webchat with Sun Online, the former Butlins Redcoat told us he's never been happier.
H - who also scored a string of Top 10 hits with bandmate Claire -revealed his feelings on the Steps split and told us what he really thinks about his former colleagues' new careers.
And while the Welsh warbler says there's no chance of the band getting back together, he told us all about the fun they had, including the night he received some TLC from famous faces Missy Elliott and Mary J Blige.
So read on to find out more about pop's practical joker, including which celebrities H would love to share a house with and why he feels strange to be finally singing live.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi H - I caught Joseph the other day. How are you enjoying it so far?
David, Macclesfield
Working in theatre is a different experience for me - I'm used to performing in arenas and on TV with in-ear monitors so it's strange to be singing live.
I found it tricky at first but it's starting to come together now and I'm really enjoying it.
There's been a complete cast change since I joined the show which is nice because it means I haven't started on my own and been made to feel like the new guy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How do you feel to be stepping into the shoes of Darren Day, Jason Donovan and Stephen Gately who have all played the role of Joseph before you?
Kieran, Wolverhampton
One of my first roles was actually in Joseph - I played Benjamin (Joseph's youngest brother) when I was just starting out in showbiz.
Getting the part of Joseph himself has always been a dream for me and I can't believe I've finally landed it.
To be honest, I haven't paid any attention to the people who have played the part before me - I just want to do my best and if the audience likes it, great, but I don't feel under any pressure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you ever regret leaving Steps and was there bad feeling when you broke up?
Jenny, Gillingham
I never regret anything - there's no point.
There was a bit of bad feeling when we split but if I had to do it all again, I'd do the same.
At the end of the day, all good things have to come to an end and that's what happened with us. I can't see us getting back together in the future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you think you will ever work with Claire again as a duo?
Neill Christie-Hewitt
I would love to work with Claire again but at the minute, our mindsets are very different.
Claire wants to be Celine Dion while I'm happy doing what I've always wanted to do. But I am singing a duet on her album and hopefully she'll sing with me in the future.
I'm definitely leaving the door open for a reunion. We still have our record deal so never say never!
H Steps into our office
H ... any question will do
By SINEAD O'NEILL
AS one-fifth of bestselling popstars Steps, you'd have thought Ian 'H' Watkins would have had his fill of cheesy costumes and catchy dance routines.
But when he was asked to play the title role in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, the chirpy singer jumped at the chance.
And in an exclusive webchat with Sun Online, the former Butlins Redcoat told us he's never been happier.
H - who also scored a string of Top 10 hits with bandmate Claire -revealed his feelings on the Steps split and told us what he really thinks about his former colleagues' new careers.
And while the Welsh warbler says there's no chance of the band getting back together, he told us all about the fun they had, including the night he received some TLC from famous faces Missy Elliott and Mary J Blige.
So read on to find out more about pop's practical joker, including which celebrities H would love to share a house with and why he feels strange to be finally singing live.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi H - I caught Joseph the other day. How are you enjoying it so far?
David, Macclesfield
Working in theatre is a different experience for me - I'm used to performing in arenas and on TV with in-ear monitors so it's strange to be singing live.
I found it tricky at first but it's starting to come together now and I'm really enjoying it.
There's been a complete cast change since I joined the show which is nice because it means I haven't started on my own and been made to feel like the new guy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How do you feel to be stepping into the shoes of Darren Day, Jason Donovan and Stephen Gately who have all played the role of Joseph before you?
Kieran, Wolverhampton
One of my first roles was actually in Joseph - I played Benjamin (Joseph's youngest brother) when I was just starting out in showbiz.
Getting the part of Joseph himself has always been a dream for me and I can't believe I've finally landed it.
To be honest, I haven't paid any attention to the people who have played the part before me - I just want to do my best and if the audience likes it, great, but I don't feel under any pressure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you ever regret leaving Steps and was there bad feeling when you broke up?
Jenny, Gillingham
I never regret anything - there's no point.
There was a bit of bad feeling when we split but if I had to do it all again, I'd do the same.
At the end of the day, all good things have to come to an end and that's what happened with us. I can't see us getting back together in the future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you think you will ever work with Claire again as a duo?
Neill Christie-Hewitt
I would love to work with Claire again but at the minute, our mindsets are very different.
Claire wants to be Celine Dion while I'm happy doing what I've always wanted to do. But I am singing a duet on her album and hopefully she'll sing with me in the future.
I'm definitely leaving the door open for a reunion. We still have our record deal so never say never!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Split ... star with his former bandmates
You and Claire are still close but do you still keep in touch with Faye, Lee and Lisa? What do you think about what they have been up too since the band parted?
Bradley
When Steps split, it was because our minds were in different places and we needed time away from each other to decide what to do.
Now that we've spent time apart, I've received texts, flowers and phone calls from the guys and that has been great.
They haven't been to see me in the show yet but they are coming in the next few weeks and it'll be fantastic to meet up.
With regards to what the rest of the band are doing, everyone is at different stages of their careers - whether they're happy with what they've chosen is not for me to decide.
I'm happy with what I'm doing and that's enough for me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is your most memorable moment from your time in Steps?
Ffion, North Wales
It's difficult to pick one memory from my time in the band because I when I look at all we achieved, I still can't believe it!
I've got so many discs, books and photos of people we met and it's hard to believe that it was really me, it seems like a lifetime ago.
One particular moment however was when we attended the MTV Awards in Dublin a few years ago.
I had the worst flu ever and although everyone was going out afterwards, I felt awful.
I decided to get a limo at the end of the night so there I was with Alicia Silverstone on one side, Mary J Blige and Missy Elliott on the other, all fussing around me because I didn't feel well.
A very surreal moment!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H - did you find during your time in Steps that you had to tone down your lifestyle because a lot was expected from you?
Sam, Halifax
I mightn't be Snow White but I'm not a bad person so it was never really a problem for me.
But since I started Joseph, I've noticed how much I swear and because there are kids involved in the show - and the audience - I've had to bite my tongue a lot.
Being a role model was not something I consciously worried about during my time in Steps.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You were always the practical joker in Steps - what's the best stunt you've ever pulled?
Carla, Birmingham
I do have a reputation as a joker but I'm having to hold myself back during Joseph.
I'm dressed in just a loincloth for most of the show so I'm very careful that the cast don't try anything in front of the audience - it would be all too easy to remove a strip of Velcro!
When we were in Steps, I played practical jokes on Claire, Faye and Lisa all the time.
The best was when I put Sellotape over their door before they went to the gym one morning and they walked straight into it.
It was childish but very funny!
They soon got their own back though by sawing the legs off my bed!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi H - what has the reaction to Joseph been like from the audience so far?
Rachel, West London
Hi Rachel - the audience have been really positive since I started.
Apparently, sales have increased since I made my debut and it's such a great feeling to go to work and enjoy what I'm doing.
Having the audience appreciate it is a bonus and it means the world to me.
But it's a different reaction from when I was in Steps because when we were on stage as a band, our routines were so energetic and we didn't sing live.
In theatre however, people expect to hear you sing. It's hard work because you have to project your voice and work on your stamina but it's so much more rewarding.
The end of Joseph does feel like a mini Steps concert though - there are so many reprises and they just keep getting bigger and better all the time!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are the dance routines in Joseph harder than those in Steps?
Richard, Manchester
I haven't actually got any dance steps in Joseph because most of the action happens around me.
It's more vocally demanding than physically difficult but I do miss the dancing.
I can still remember all my moves from Steps - I'll never be able to forget them!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dream come true ... H as Joseph
Is it embarrassing appearing on stage for Joseph dressed in just a loincloth?
Jo
After the first week, I stopped thinking about it.
I was worried at first because I'm not the kind of person who shows themselves off at the beach. But once you get used to it, it's OK.
That doesn't mean I feel comfortable though - I worked out loads to get in shape for the part.
I use the treadmill every day and watch what I eat - it's been hard but good for me.
I do still treat myself but I'm generally very strict!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What was it about the role of Joseph that attracted you in the first place?
Harry, Carlisle
I love Andrew Lloyd Webber's music and Tim Rice's lyrics and I felt Joseph was the perfect show for me.
It's the ultimate popular musical and, coming from a pop music background with Steps, it feels like a natural progression.
I actually met Tim Rice a few years ago when he came to a Steps concert at Wembley. He presented us with a disc for the Biggest Arena Tour and had his picture taken because he said he was a big fan.
I later heard he hung it in his downstairs loo - so now everyone who uses Tim Rice's toilet looks at us when they have a pee!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Were you given a new loincloth to play Joseph or is it the same one everyone else wore? I hope you washed it if it is!
Nina, Portsmouth
I've got lots of loincloths for this show - silver ones, gold ones, tattooed-on ones!
I did get them especially remade for the show - no cast-offs for me!
It was the same for the famous coat - everyone who plays Joseph is a different size and as I'm quite slim, I had to get a new one made just for me!
Where did the H come from and would you go back to your real name Ian Watkins for more serious roles?
Lisa, Kent
H stands for Hyperactive which has been my nickname since I was nine.
I am billed as Ian 'H' Watkins for Joseph but I'll always be known as H to my friends and family.
I might go back to using my surname in the future but I think H will always stick with me, mainly because I'm still as hyper as ever!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's the best present a fan has ever given you?
John, Kidderminster
I've had everything - perfume, teddy bears, flowers - but one in particular sticks in my mind.
I received a letter from a little girl who was terminally ill.
She wrote about going to a Steps concert and how much she had enjoyed the show. I met her and stayed in touch. We wrote to each other and she would tell me about her illness.
She eventually passed away but I kept all her letters and still have them along with the other mementos of my time in the band.
It's things like that which make it all worthwhile, knowing how much keeping in touch meant to her.
But we also got a lot of strange gifts - our fans in Japan for example used to give us cockroaches because they are a symbol of good luck. Thankfully they were plastic not real!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What did you think about being voted 8th Most Annoying Person in Britain in Channel 4's Worst Britons poll?
Sarah
I didn't actually know anything about the show until I read it in the papers the next day.
To be honest, I'm quite chuffed that people felt so strongly about me that they bothered voting!
Thank you everyone - I just want to know who came above me!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi H, are you single at the moment and would you ever go out with a fan?
Katie, Huddersfield
I am single and as for going out with a fan, why not?!
I did get my share of romantic letters and gifts while I was in Steps but it's never been the right time for me, I've just been too busy!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi H, I read somewhere that you were bullied. How did you cope with it and what advice would you give to someone in the same position?
Gail, Richmond
I think every child is bullied at some stage and I was picked on because I preferred singing and dancing when my friends were busy playing football.
I didn't care - I've always been my own person and never wanted to follow the crowd. As far as I'm concerned, I followed my dream and I'd advise anyone else in a similar situation to do the same.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Go go go Joseph ... H in our office
If you could be in the Big Brother house with absolutely any celebs, dead or alive, who would you choose?
Kirsty
I'd choose Jennifer Saunders and Rusty Lee - a TV chef who no-one remembers but who I found hilarious.
I would also ask Paul O'Grady (Lily Savage) and Claire Sweeney - who are both good friends of mine - along and maybe the Krankies so I could have two for the price of one!
I have been asked to do Celebrity Big Brother before but I've always been too busy.
Shows like Big Brother and I'm A Celebrity are only really good for people who want to be famous - that isn't me, I love what I do and fame is just a by-product of that!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is it true that you're going back to college this year?
Stephanie, Durham
Yes, it's something I've always wanted to do and I've realised that you don't get anything in this world unless you work for it.
I'm going to study musical theatre at the Royal Academy Of Music and I'm very nervous. I can't wait though - this year couldn't get any better for me!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,7-2004141240,00.html)