‘Why life will never be the same again!’ While Katherine Kelly is wowing viewers in the second series of ITV’s Mr Selfridge, in real life the former Corrie actress has motherhood on her mind By Alison James he’s played some demanding roles in her 11 year career – Becky in Corrie, Kenny Everett’s missus, the mother of a murdered child in ITV drama The Guilty and, of course, Lady Mae Loxley in Mr Selfridge. But Katherine Kelly, or Kate as she’s known by friends and family, is about to take on her most important role to date. One that will last a lifetime. Kate and her Australian husband, Ryan Clark, are currently ‘down under’ awaiting the birth of their first child, whose arrival is imminent. Indeed he or she may well have been born already! “We feel very blessed,” Kate revealed before she left the UK in November. “I’m going to take a good six months off work, at least, to enjoy the baby. My own mum is exceptional – utterly selfless, a real earth mother – and hopefully those genetics will kick in!” Kate says she’s always been maternal.
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“I was like a little mum – my sister is ten years younger than me and when I was 12, I was made her godmother because I was 12 going on 16!” While she’s immersing herself in all things baby, Kate’s also determined to continue with her career. “It’s important to me to get that work/life balance right,” she says. “I still want to be an actress and work, as most women do these days. I know all of my friends who are new mums certainly do and not just the ones who are actresses.” A close friend who recently became a mum and is also determined to continue with her career is Zara Phillips, who gave birth to baby Mia Grace in January. Kate was at school with Zara’s husband, Mike Tindall, and she tweeted the following shortly after Mia’s birth. Congratulations! Delighted for you. The BEST news! Another six weeks (ish) and we’ll have a little playmate for your daughter!’
❙ star chat ❙
Close friends: Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall
too much. I don’t get preferential treatment in the real Selfridges, either! I was there buying some trainers a while back and the assistant said, ‘It is you, isn’t it. Lady Mae?’ I said it was and joked that he should really give me the trainers for free!” Much as we love Kate as Lady Mae, we’ll always remember her as the chaotic but lovable Becky, from Corrie. Many Street fans were upset that Becky didn’t visit her friend Hayley Cropper while she was dying, or, indeed, attend the funeral. Kate herself would have loved to return but it just wasn’t possible. “Unfortunately there was a really boring logistical problem,” she revealed late last year. “There’s such a tight window between when Corrie film the episodes and when they broadcast them – and I was shooting Mr Selfridge until November. It was such a shame because Becky would definitely have come back. I’ve always said I’d like to pop back but this time it was impossible.” Touchingly, Kate sent Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley) a special message after her final scenes on the Street: ‘I understand why you’re going,’ she wrote. ‘I totally get it, but wow, there’s going to be a big, big hole in that show. I don’t think I will ever be able to watch it without missing you. I think you’re one of the best actresses on the British screen. I can’t wait to see the next things in line for you because you have so much to give. Mr Selfridge series three perhaps?’ Katherine Kelly, you have the best ideas! ✢ Mr Selfridge is on ITV1 on Sunday evenings.
With pal Julie (aka Hayley) during their Corrie days
‘I’m starting to feel a little bit British’ Having spent the best part of the last two years in Britain filming Mr Selfridge, American actor Jeremy Piven (48), who plays him, reveals our ways are rubbing off on him. “Yes I’m definitely beginning to feel a little like a Brit. I love it here. One of my favourite things to do when I’m not working is to explore all the parks and streets of London by bike. I’d really like to explore the rest of Britain at some point. I’m fascinated by all your different accents. People back in America are always asking me if I’ve met the Queen yet – even my mother does! Unfortunately I haven’t but I did meet Prince William and Prince Harry at a polo match. They were both really good at it and I told them so, but they were very humble and charming. I can see why people love them.” Jeremy’s even taken by our weather. “You get all four seasons in the space of as many days,” he laughs. “It’s exciting!” So he’d be happy to do more Mr Selfridge and spend more time here? “It would be great. The real Harry Selfridge met quite a sad end. If we were in the States, they would be milking Mr Selfridge for 100 episodes already! In the UK, it’s all about getting it right rather than trying to jam in as many episodes as possible. There’s nothing better because you know you’re in great hands – we want to make the best show we possibly can. And they do it so quickly here – not like the US. Filming Mr Selfridge is like a magic trick which is performed every day.” YOURS
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When it comes to timing this delicate work/baby balance, Kate (34) has got it exactly right. Mr Selfridge is on screen until the end of March so there’s no chance of us forgetting who she is – as if we would anyway. Life for Lady Mae hasn’t been so easy during this second series, what with the outbreak of World War One and her broke and bad-tempered husband Lord Loxley moving up to town and spoiling all Mae’s fun. “We’re getting to see her behind closed doors,” says Kate. “The last series was all about Mae being the fabulous, fashionable lady about town. Selfridges was like her own personal catwalk. But in this series we’re definitely seeing some cracks and more vulnerability. I think we’re just learning what makes her tick. She’s a bit tired and a bit cranky, and things aren’t quite going her way. “Mae and Harry Selfridge continue to make a good team, though. In the modern world, I imagine they’d make great business partners.” We were treated to a tour of the Selfridges set before chatting to Kate, and it was breathtaking. It all seems so real! “Doesn’t it?” Kate agrees. “The sets for series two are on another level, they were great before but amazing now. Sadly I don’t get to keep anything of Lady Mae’s or items from the shop. It’s all original material that’s worth far
Oscars 2014…
WhyOLDER
is BETTER! With the world’s most famous film awards just around the corner, we look at why older actresses are leading the way for honours By Laura Bradder n her 80th year, Dame Judi is up for a Best Actress Oscar – it’s her seventh nomination. If you’ve seen Philomena you won’t be surprised; she brings a heartrending mix of fragility, determination and yearning to the title role. But when it comes to the Oscars, Hollywood historically honours young and upcoming actresses – the average age of past winners in Best Actress category is 29. But this year, with 275 years between them, the shortlist is the oldest ever. After Dame Judi, Meryl Streep, who turns 65 this year, has been nominated for her masterful portrayal of a manipulative matriarch in dark comedy August: Osage County; Sandra Bullock, 50 this year, is up for Gravity and 44-year-old Cate Blanchett (the hot favourite) for her role in Blue Jasmine. So what’s brought this about? Surely it’s no accident that, as
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the power of the silver pound at the cinema is finally being acknowledged, more films are being made for this audience. Yours Editor-at-large Valery McConnell has been a keen observer of this trend in films. “As more major parts have been created for mature actresses, it is no surprise that so many win awards. They bring a lifetime of experience to roles that reach out and touch audiences with a mix of empathy and realism. In fact older characters can often be the most interesting people on the screen.” Both Judi Dench and Meryl Streep have had far more success in later life. Dame Judi has been nominated for an Academy Award seven times, all since turning 60. The first was playing Queen Victoria in 1997’s Mrs Brown. A surprise hit with audiences and critics, Judi has credited the film with propelling her to star status and the following year she won her first and only Oscar as Supporting Actress for Queen Elizabeth I in romantic hit Shakespeare in Love. Then she was cast as ‘M’ in the Bond film franchise. “Another sign film-makers are
❙ leading ladies ❙ Walking the red carpet: Meryl Streep, Dame Judi Dench and Helen Mirren, older female stars getting their due as the film industry recognises their unique talent and experience. Go for it, girls!
acknowledging the power of older actresses,” adds Valery. “Her performances brought a depth and command to the screen that has made her more memorable than most recent Bond villains.” Judi has called her nomination for Philomena “the loveliest news” and hit out at any suggestion that she might consider taking a back seat from now on: “Don’t say old, don’t say retired and don’t say 80 – I’m not even considering retiring.” Meryl, meanwhile, is often seen as the darling of the Oscars, having received an incredible 18 nominations during her career. But after her early victories with Kramer vs Kramer (Best Supporting Actress, 1980) and Sophie’s Choice (Best Actress, 1983), the golden statuette eluded her for 30 years until 2012 when, aged 62, she won Best Actress for her steely portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. Of her latest nomination for August: Osage County she says: “I was really shocked; I’m so
Top: Meryl with Dustin Hoffman in Kramer vs Kramer, and Helen as HM in The Queen
old news. There were many performances this year that were great.” Meryl even emailed her good friend and fellow older actress Emma Thompson to say how bad she felt about pipping her to the nomination – it was widely thought that Emma (54), would be recognised for her performance in Saving Mr Banks. The other great British exponent of success after 60 is Dame Helen Mirren, who won her first Oscar for her moving performance in The Queen in 2007, aged 61. Earlier this month she received the British Academy Fellowship at the BAFTAs, as “one of the most outstanding actresses of her generation.” Dame Helen could also give younger actresses a masterclass in how to handle fame. She’s never been afraid to be her own woman – and when she decided to dye her hair pink last year, sales of hair dye shot up! It just goes to show, yet again, what trailblazers women of our generation are. Perhaps this year’s younger pretenders, Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett, still have their best years to come. ✢ The Academy Awards are on March 2 and will be shown live on Sky Movies Oscars.
Meryl & Judi’s roll of honour
Meryl’s last Oscar was for portraying Mrs Thatcher and Judi’s first was for Queen Elizabeth I
Best Supporting Actress… The Deer Hunter (1978*) Kramer vs Kramer (1979) WON Adaptation (2002) Best Actress… The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981) Sophie’s Choice (1982) WON Silkwood (1983) Out of Africa (1985) Ironweed (1987) A Cry in the Dark (1988) Postcards from the Edge (1990) The Bridges of Madison County (1995) One True Thing (1998)
Music of the Heart (1999) The Devil Wears Prada (2006) Doubt (2008) Julie and Julia (2009) The Iron Lady (2011) WON August: Osage County (2013)
JUDI Best Supporting Actress… Shakespeare in Love (1998) WON Chocolat (2000) Best Actress… Mrs Brown (1997) Iris (2001) Mrs Henderson Presents (2005) Notes on a Scandal (2006) Philomena (2013) YOURS
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HEALTH &
vitality
How healthy are your
BONES? Many of us don’t have a clue how strong our bones are. To find out, ask yourself these questions... By Martine Gallie
ealthy bones are always important, but in later years they’re absolutely Dr Carrie key to maintaining Ruxton is a health and mobility. freelance Despite this, many of us never give dietician, health writer and spokesperson our bones a second thought. for the Bone Health “Most of us take our bones for Information Panel. granted and assume they will always be strong enough to carry us through life,” says dietician Carrie Ruxton, “but that’s not the case for the three million people in the UK – most of them women over 45 – who suffer from osteoporosis.” Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak and fragile, which in turn increases your risk of breaking a bone if you are unlucky enough to have a fall. As well as taking our bones for If you are at all granted, a recent study of 1,000 people revealed that many of us concerned about have little idea of the factors the health of your bones, that increase our risk of poor do speak to your GP. If they bone health. “Only one in think you may be at risk of four correctly identified postdeveloping osteoporosis, they menopausal women as being can arrange for you to have at higher risk of bone health a scan to measure your problems,” says Dr Ruxton. bone density
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Are you at risk? So how can you tell if your bones are healthy or not? Unless you get a bone scan, it’s difficult to know for sure. But there are some known risk factors and, to help you get a rough idea of your risk, these are outlined below.
✢ How healthy is your weight in bone terms? Being overweight (having a body mass index – BMI – of 25 or more) increases your risk of developing weak, fragile bones. One reason is that carrying excess body fat reduces the amount of Vitamin D in your blood and Vitamin D is vital to help the body absorb calcium. If your BMI is below 18.5 you are also at greater risk of developing osteoporosis. Constant dieting has also been linked with poor bone health. A healthy body mass index is considered to be between 18.5-24.9. You can find a handy BMI calculator, plus personalised diet plans, at www.yoursdietclub.co.uk
Calculate your BMI 1. Work out your height in metres and multiply the figure by itself to get your height squared 2. Measure your weight in kilograms 3. Divide your weight by your height squared – this gives you your BMI Height
Height squared
Height
=
X Height
Weight (kg) squared
÷
Your BMI
=
✢ Do you do weight-bearing exercise? Research shows that regular physical activity is important for keeping bones strong, particularly after the menopause. “Exercise challenges our bones,” says Dr Ruxton. “Just as with muscles, if we don’t do anything, they waste away. Any exercise is good for bones, but strengthening or ‘weight-bearing’ exercise is really helpful.” This is the kind that helps build up muscles and bones and includes
✢ Do you drink? While enjoying the odd tipple may actually help strengthen bones, drinking too much alcohol can harm bones and increase your risk of a fracture. Overdoing it can also increase your risk of falling. Do your bones a favour and stick to no more than 2-3 units of alcohol a day – that’s roughly a glass of wine or a pint of beer.
carrying heavy loads, such as shopping bags, heavy gardening, such as digging, exercises that use your body weight for resistance, such as pushups and using stretchy resistance bands. “Walking up and down stairs or anything that involves jumping around is also fantastic for bones,” says Dr Ruxton. Current advice suggest adults do at least two sessions of weight-bearing exercise each week.
The right diet is essential for good bone health
✢ Are you eating a bone-friendly diet? This is one that includes plenty of bone-boosting calcium, protein and Vitamin D. Good sources of calcium include dairy foods, such as yogurt, cheese and milk, tinned fish with bones in, green leafy vegetables and nuts. You should be able to get all you need from your diet. Good protein sources include lean meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. The bone-strengthening nutrient we’re most likely to lack in the UK is Vitamin D – research shows that up to a quarter of us have Vitamin D levels that are too low to maintain bone health. This is partly because there are only a few foods that naturally contain useful amounts of Vitamin D. Oily fish and eggs are our two main sources. It’s also because we don’t get enough sun. “Eighty per cent of our Vitamin D comes from sun exposure, but in recent years we’ve had it drummed into us to keep out of the sun because of the risk of skin cancer,” says Dr Ruxton. “All we need is 15 minutes outside each day, face and arms exposed, during the summer months.”
✢ Do you smoke?
Do your bones a favour and stick to no more than 2-3 units of alcohol a day
There are plenty of good reasons to give up smoking, and preserving your bone health is one of them. Research shows that smoking weakens bones by interfering with the body’s bonebuilding system. For help with giving up, speak to your GP or phone the stop-smoking charity Quit free on 0800 002 200. YOURS
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Good to KNOW... s Whether school days were the best day it’s of your life or a time you’d rather forget, se never too late to learn a new skill. The oy days there are hundreds of ways to enj kery education, whether it’s a practical coo a class, hands-on archaeology event or creative writing lesson...
How to ...
LEARN SOM E Go ‘back to school’ with our fun guide to trying d
Biology
Home Economics
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If you enjoyed...
You might like to try... Dirtying your hands Wising up to owls
Writing a fairytale
Making chocolate
If you were a whizz at dates and royal lineage, an archaeology course could be right up your street. And instead of poring over textbooks, these are practical dirtbeneath-yourfingers lessons, sure to fire up your imagination. Try Chedworth Roman Villa, in Yanworth, Gloucestershire, which runs digs for anyone over 18. Call 01242 890256. For a weeklong experience, try an English Heritage residential course in Warwick on field surveying. It runs from April 28-May 2, costs £750 including b&b and evening meals. Call 0870 333 1181.
If you fancy engaging your imagination, there’s never been a better time to pick up a pen, with creative writing courses in all sorts of disciplines popping up all over the UK. We’re particularly intrigued by Cardiff University’s course on writing traditional and modern fairytales, which runs on Monday afternoons for ten weeks for £140. For information call 0292 087 0000. The University of the Third Age (020 8466 6139, www.u3a.org.uk) offers online creative writing courses and your local college, university, or even library, may run one too, so get in touch to find out more.
You might be a dab hand in the kitchen, but have you given chocolate making a go? Numerous catering colleges and chocolate shops offer workshops. Try the City of Bath College’s pre-Easter evening class, which starts on March 26 with plenty of time to whip up some egg-cellent gifts. £70 for two evenings, call the college on 01225 312191, email enquiries@ citybathcoll.ac.uk. Or give it a whirl at home with Lakeland silicone chocolate moulds, starting from £3.49, 01539 488100, www. lakeland. co.uk
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Steer clear of seminars and head for the outdoors to get to grips with falconry. Try an Evening with Owls on March 22, at the Birds of Prey Centre, Wilstead, Bedfordshire, £18 adults, £10 children, which includes flying and handling. Call 01767 627527 or visit www.birdsofpreycentre. co.uk. Most centres hold flying displays when they’re open to the public, too, and often choose volunteers from the audience to hold a bird – make sure your hand is up first!
M ETHING NEW By Lizzy Dening
Geography
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ing different or unusual subjects
Dancing for fun
Talking the lingo
Hunting for caches
Bridging the gap
Do you long for the days of hockey socks and running around in the rain? Neither do we! Luckily there are plenty of more enjoyable ways to get moving. Why not go a bit Bollywood? Asianinspired dancing is a great way to improve fitness and have fun – plus if you have internet access you’ll find online tutorials for free. Dance Ihayami offers adult classes (£12 for 90 minutes) in various styles in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Call 0783 539 7580 or visit www. dance ihayami.org for details.
Nothing will boost your confidence on a foreign holiday quite like knowing some of the language. And it’s never been easier to find an evening class in a wide range of languages. Most good regional colleges offer them, while libraries and bookshops are packed with CDs to help you learn. If you’re online, the BBC has completely free guides for 33 languages, including Greek, Italian, Chinese, German, French Portuguese and Arabic. Visit www.bbc. co.uk/languages Or check out adverts in your local area for people who offer language tuition.
If the sight of a map makes your heart beat a little faster, you’re sure to enjoy geocaching. A large scale hide-and-seek game, played all over the country, it involves hunting down hidden ‘caches’ (small objects) with the help of a gps tracking device (many smartphones already have this, or you can buy one). To take part you need to be sign up for free as a member at www.geocaching.com and pop in your postcode to discover what local loot awaits you. Or go traditional with some orienteering – find a club near you at www. britishorienteering.org.uk or call 01629 734042.
We’d be lying if we said this was the Yours team favourite, but if you’re unflustered by fractions you might enjoy learning a complex card game, such as bridge. Oxford Bridge Learning offers all sorts of courses (which book up quickly) as well as drop-in sessions. For more information visit www. bridgewebs.com/oxford or call 01865 558231. Bridge for Fun offers classes in the Tunbridge Wells area too, £174 for 18 lessons, www. bridgeforfun.org.uk or 07973 207218. Alternatively, teach yourself by visiting www. learning-bridge.co.uk
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P.E.
0 1 BEST... of the
Flying solo? Not a problem – one of these trips is bound to float your boat
Breaks for solo travellers ✢ Island escape
7 NIGHTS
FROM ZAKYNTHOS, GREECE MAY 18 Relax and unwind on green and pleasant Zante, with its long beaches, white-sand bays and tranquil coves. £745pp including return flights from Gatwick, transfers, half board at three-star Alexandra Beach Hotel, welcome meeting and farewell cocktail.
✢ Manchester departure available (£815pp), or14 nights for £999pp from Gatwick and £1,350pp from Manchester
✢ Culture, colour and cuisine MARRAKECH, MOROCCO Discover lively bazaars, spice stalls and monumental palaces, tour Djemâa el Fna Square and discover the New City. £645pp including return flights (Gatwick), transfers, b&b at four-star Hotel Semiramis, one dinner at the hotel, welcome meeting, halfday tour of Marrakech and Chez Ali Fantasia dinner and show.
7 NIGHTS FROM
7 NIGHTS FROM
MAY13
CRETE, GREECE New and exclusive to Solos for 2014, the Iraklis Apartments in charming and traditional Gouves are an ideal base. Kick back and relax on the beach, before a stroll along the promenade at sunset. £595pp including flights and transfers, B&B, three on-site tavern dinners and welcome meeting. ✢ Manchester departure available for £595pp YOURS
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✢ Manchester departure available for £679pp
APRIL19
✢ Ultimate relaxation
3 NIGHTS
✢ Morgado festival ALGARVE, PORTUGAL For something entirely different, try the Spring BEGINNERS WELCOME! Golf Festival Week. Designed for all abilities, be as relaxed or competitive as you like – and most importantly, have fun. £1,079pp including flights (Gatwick), transfers, mixed board (breakfast, dinner and two glasses house wine or beer) at four-star CS Morgado Golf Hotel and five rounds of organised golf. ✢ Manchester departures £1,139pp
✢ Mediterranean walking MALTA & GOZO Explore 7 NIGHTS stunning FROM coastline APRIL12 on foot and picturesque seaside towns, with all walks graded ‘easy’ or ‘medium’, plus optional excursions. £919pp including flights (Heathrow), transfers, half board at three-star The Seashells Resort at Suncrest, welcome meeting, farewell drink, three guided walks in Malta and one in Gozo, and return ferry transfers to Gozo. ✢ Manchester departure available for £889pp
3 NIGHTS
✢ City of discovery,
FROM
MAY 7
DUBROVNIK, CROATIA Surrounded by the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, magnificently medieval Dubrovnik is full of architectural wonders. Additional excursions optional. £569pp including flights (Gatwick), transfers, B&B at three-star Hotel Astarea, two dinners, information meeting and guided walk of Dubrovnik’s Old Town.
To book any of these trips, call Solos Holidays on 0844 815 0001 or visit www.solosholidays.co.uk
✢ Manchester departure available for £615pp
7 NIGHTS ALL INCLUSIVE FROM
CORFU, GREECE MAY 5 Tennis fans: take part in friendly and competitive WIN matches for improvers on PRIZES! the four-star Grecotel Daphnila Bay Thalasso Hotel hard surface courts, overlooking the beautiful coastline. £969pp including flights (Gatwick), transfers, room, all food, most drinks, entertainment and watersports, welcome meeting and fiveday tennis programme. ✢ Manchester departure available for £969pp
✢ Dinner and dancing
NORTHAMPTON, UK Spend Easter Saturday socialising with fellow singles during an evening of fine dining and dancing at the four-star Northampton Marriott Hotel. £115pp including one night b&b, use of hotel leisure facilities, three-course dinner (plus half-bottle of wine, water and coffee), evening disco and table moves.
✢ Secluded oasis 7 NIGHTS FROM OVACIK, TURKEY MAY 5 The famous turquoise lagoon at Ölüdeniz and nearby harbour town of Fethiye are in an area of outstanding beauty, nestled at the foot of Babadag Mountain. £470pp including flights (Gatwick), transfers, seven nights’ mixed board (breakfast daily and four dinners, including a Turkish Night) at the award-winning Olympos Hotel and a welcome meeting. ✢ Manchester departure available for £550pp
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The turqouise lagoon at Ölüdeniz, viewed from the air
Now visit www.yours.co.uk to pick up more travel ideas and suggestions
✢ Secrets 9 NIGHTS FROM of the south
APRIL19
››
Next issue: Top ten pubs to take your pooch
MAY 3 PUGLIA, ITALY The delightful heel of Italy’s ‘boot’ boasts the longest coastline – and plenty of Italian charm. Tour the superb cities of Lecce and ancient Ostuni, then visit the peaceful harbour town of Trani. £1,755pp including flights (Heathrow), transfers, b&b at fourstar hotels, five dinners, welcome meeting, guided tours and excursions and wine and olive tasting. ✢ A welcome drink and the services of a Solos Tour Leader is included in all breaks
✢ Turn to p102 for a great deal on solo travel insurance YOURS
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WORDS: ALEX FRISBY; PICS: ALAMY; SHUTTERSTOCK; MASTERFILE
✢ Time for tennis!
❙ star chat ❙
My lessons
✢ I don’t use autocues – I need to feel the words I don’t like to use an autocue when I’m singing because you concentrate on the words too much and start to rely on it. Instead I like to really get into a song. Of course I use words to learn a song but then afterwards I like to see it in my mind’s eye as if it’s a story I’m telling. Like the song Roberta when I sing ‘I’m going to pawn my whistle, pawn my watch and chain’. I’m actually thinking about the watch and chain. The same with Delilah. She existed for me and after that song I met many actual Delilahs.
from life… Welsh singing legend and The Voice judge Tom Jones on the secret of success ✢ It’s good to give back The Voice made me realise that it was about time I shared my wealth of experience, something I had rarely done. After all I thought, Elvis, when I first met him said to me “How the hell do you sing like that?” And I said “From listening to you.” So Elvis said “But you sound black.” He said the quality of my voice was that of a black man.
✢ British and American humour is very different
✢ Controversy is powerful
✢ What makes a great voice? It’s a mystery! My throat doctor says, “We all have the same equipment, but I can’t explain why we sound different when we sing.” 146
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Then and now: Tom with Elvis and Priscilla Presley; below, in The Voice
✢ Living in America is like being on holiday I treat the city of Los Angeles and the lifestyle there as a bit of a holiday place for me. I used to see Robbie Williams around Christmas time when we’d bump into each other in this little set of shops near where we both live in Los Angeles. But it wouldn’t be like “Oh, let’s go for a drink because we’re the ex-pats...”
✢ Tom was talking to Andrew Threlfall ✢ The Voice is on BBC1 on Saturday evenings.
WHAT MADE YOU WHO YOU ARE TODAY? Where I came from in South Wales I was surrounded by a lot of people with big voices who would just get up and sing in the pubs. From an early age I noticed how they could project over a noisy room. If I’d been born somewhere else I might not have felt the same way about getting up and singing.
PICS: ALAMY & BBC
I’ve learnt that controversy has always sold rock ‘n’ roll. I was 24 when I went on Blue Peter and Crackerjack to sing It’s Not Unusual. The BBC got so many complaints and letters saying ‘We don’t want to see this man gyrating and thrusting his hips in front of our children’. When I was a teenager in the Fifties that’s when the radio stations were wary of playing the so-called ‘devil’s music’ because of the ‘wildness’ of it.
Some nights there are loads of Brits in the audience for my shows in America, such as in Vegas – sometimes I feel like I’m at home! Other nights it’s like ‘British humour, American silence’ when I crack a joke onstage, at which point they start laughing at ME for being so British!