TV Hits September 1996

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Did you always want to be famous?
I was always singing in front of the mirror, but I never entered talent competitions or anything. Music was always my thinhg and
I thought, 'Wow, wouldn't it be great to be like Take That!' but I never felt I went out to get it - it just fell into place.
Did you ever think of doing anything else?
I always knew I'd do something to do with music. People told me I had talent, but then, so have lots of people, so I've been
given a one in a million chance...

So you've never had a 'normal' job?
I spent a week at McDonalds and it was the worst week of my life!

Did you ever watch heroes and think, 'That'll be me one day!'?
I wasn't that postive! I remember buying an album and looking at who produced it, thinking how good it was... now that guy's
produced my album - it's like fate!

Have you put a lot of thought into your image?
Well, once you write your own stuff you create your own image, 'cause it's your music. I'm lucky there isn't anyone saying,
'You must dress like this and sound like that.' A big bad homeboy in baggy jumpers just isn't me, so why bother trying?! It's
best to be yourself.

Did you have visions of Number One with Crazy Chance?
I didn't believe it would get into the Top 40! Part of me was excited as well... OK, I was a bit disappointed! But Crazy
Chance served it's purpose. Anyway, it's not good to have a Number One straight away - how can you follow that up?!

Did you feel pressured with your links with Take That?
A lot of people would only do interviews to talk about them. I'd be like, 'Hang on, could we talk about me?!' Then they'd ask
what Howard's like to work with!

How are you going to cope if you become as famous as Take That?
I've noticed people start to recognize me even more and it's really weird! But I learnt from Take That to keep my feet on the
ground and not believe my own hype!

Do you get nervous on stage?
The first night of the tour I was very nervous - I knew I had to get it just right! Once you get that first night out of the way, it's a
piece of cake.

What goes through your mind when you're on stage performing in front of thousands of screaming girls?
'Where's me mam?!' I don't know - I'm concentrating on the words and the dance routines!

Do you follow the famous Nigel Martin-Smith, 'no drink, no late nights' regime?
The first couple of nights on tour are party nights, but then you realise it's getting ridiculous! One night I only got two hours
sleep and I had to go on stage - you just can't do it! Don't get me wrong though - we do party!

Is there anything about fame you're not keen on?
Early mornings - sometimes you have to get up at six o'clock! And I used to get lonely - I'd be sat in the dressing room on my
own and I didn't know anybody! On this tour everyone's been great, though - Boyzone went out of their way to say hello! Sean
Maguire's a really nice guy too.

Do you get homesick?
Yeah! I've got used to it now, but at first I was nearly crying sometimes - I'd just phone up my mates and they'd cheer me up!

What have you learnt from Ant and Dec and Boyzone?
That the most important thing is to make time to stop and talk to fans - you've got to be liked! And you're not going to be like if
you walk around with your dark glasses on, ignoring people!

So your fans dislike you drinking and smoking?
I think they understand! I'm 18, and it's not like I'm this big, boozy boozer - I just like to sit down and unwind with a pint. It
works for Oasis!

What would you like people to be saying about you in 20 years time?
I want people to say, 'He wasn't just a teeny thing, he was a good songwriter!' - this market is so fickle, you're lucky to last six
months, never mind 20 years!

Do you like hanging around with all these music biz types?
It's really weird! They're all people I used to look up to! I used to read TV HITS when I was younger, and the names I saw in
the magazine then are the people interviewing me now - it's great!