What were your first impressions on meeting the other lads?
I met Anthony first out of everyone. We got on as soon as I saw him. We kept in touch and I kept saying 'we must go out for a drink with each other' and we never actually got round to doing it but we did keep in touch which was cool and then I met Duncan and Simon at the same time. I remember when Simon walked in and I remember when Duncan walked into this audition and then I got Simon's number and kept in touch with him and I called him to ask him to come down from Manchester. Come down to London and we'll all chill out. And then he came down and stayed with me and then we got the audition for Blue and I pulled him in and asked him to have a go and then we got signed.
What did you think of them when you first met them all?
Yes, we got on like a house on fire, got on straight away.
How would you describe the various characters in the band?
Anthony is like the funny, jokey one. He can't keep a straight face. We're pretty much all the same, me and Duncan are really spiritual and we can go on really deep ones together about life and stuff like that. Simon's the same. We are all good friends and we've all got similar types of personalities.
What are the best things and worst things about being in Blue?
I'll start with the worst things. The worst thing about being in Blue is people expect a lot of you, people expect you to put up with a lot of their bullshit if they are being rude just because we're in a band.
The best thing about being in Blue is living out your dreams and being with four lads that I really do love and respect, and the fans. The love that you get from all the fans is amazing. It goes deeper than a lot of people think. You realise that you live people's dreams and that you are actually helping a lot of people, especially young people, who may be going through drug abuse or physical abuse, or even just the stress of growing up as a teenager, and you speak to the fans across the world and they all say the same things you know. They are fans of Blue because music helps them and I think it helps to be a part of that. That's a godsend you know, it's a blessing.
Is there any one song that you are more proud of than any others you have written?
'Breathe Easy', but then again, no because I have written a lot of songs that nobody has heard. I do a lot of writing. The biggest song I wrote took me a year and a half to write and that was pretty cool. Otherwise in the studio I am working on stuff by myself, nothing solo particularly, just because I love music and that's where I spend most of my time, in the studio. And I've done this one tune with like a gospel choir and a 20 piece orchestra.
What was that track?
It's called 'Time flies', it's about Jesus Christ and how he came back to life. You'll hear it one day.
Brilliant, that sounds good. Can you tell us some anecdotes, some of the live experiences and happy memories you have had?
I love doing live gigs with Blue, I think that is the one thing I would be sad about if it went. Just being by yourself or not performing at all would be quite a scary thought really, but things do come to an end. The yellow brick road only has a certain mileage.
Can you remember anything in particular...?
Yeah, every day. I think about it every day and I wouldn't say there's one thing. You can do the smallest gig to the biggest gig, it's all good.
You've been in a few scrapes over the past few years. Is there anything you've ever regretted?
What scrapes
You know, brushes with the law. You haven't been the typical clean cut boy band member.
No, I have never been like that. I see a lot of celebrities when I am out and they will only speak to celebrities, they won't speak to anyone else. If you are not a celebrity then you are not invited to talk to them. I am not like that and I have never pretended to be anything I'm not and I have never treated anyone with less or more respect than I deserve or anyone deserves.
So no regrets
They don't work.
Have you ever had a favourite present off a fan?
A thought probably, that's it I would say. Someone who thinks about you or appreciates your music, or someone who has a general interest through a poem or a joke. I don't think there's one thing I could single out. Just having an overall belief, dedication and passion.
You obviously prefer the fans to send you something personal that they have written and thought about as opposed to a cuddly bear, whatever?
Yeah, I have always preferred poems or stuff that's personal. I don't really like it when fans spend money on me. I don't want that. I would rather something artistic.
I hate buying presents for people I would sooner paint a picture or write a poem and give it to that person. It's a very Indian way. My belief is more like about Red Indians and stuff like that. That's what I believe in.
Any favourite videos when you look back on your career?
Elton John, 'Sorry seems to be the hardest word'. From when I was a kid I used to pray that I would meet Elton John one day and I used to think about singing with him, funnily enough as well. I suppose that was the craziest thing because I thought, damn I'm with Elton John and there's a point in the video when you see me standing next to him and he sings 'Sorry seems to be the hardest word' I remember standing there really, really 'pooping' myself.
That's a pretty special moment
Yeah
Is there anything funny that's ever happened?
Yeah loads. I make it fun. I try and make this job as fun as possible. I suppose that is why I get in a bit more trouble than the other boys, they probably think about stuff before they do stuff because of the press, whereas I don't care what people think of me or what the press say. A lot of people are surprised when they meet me. They say I am arrogant because of the way the press portray me. They say I'm the bad boy of pop. I didn't give myself that name, they just decided to label me with that. That's cool with me. I think it's calmed down a bit now. I think it's a bit done.
Have you never felt like setting the record straight? It must be frustrating if you are perceived in a certain way?
I ain't bothered. I act stupid a lot of the time. I am like cool, you don't know me and you don't know the person that I really am because I don't want people to know the person I really am because that's my personal life. When I'm in this job it's what I do. I go into work and I am ready to work. People like to see people making an idiot of themselves, it makes them feel good.
So, what you are saying is you are playing the character Lee from Blue?
People don't really know me, but I'm fine with that. I can act stupid because I like acting stupid, I've done it at school as well. I just like having fun and I chat a lot of crap as well. People think I am actually an idiot but I don't mind. I have seen in people's faces and they just look 'smug'.
Blue is still ongoing. What's coming up in the next twelve months? Have you got some plans?
Yeah, but I don't like talking about it, only because if I talk about it and it doesn't come off then you look like an idiot. You look like a donkey so you might as well keep it to yourself. I talk about little things but I am not going to turn around and talk about everything that I have set up because I don't want to.
You have all worked so hard over the past three years. Did you ever feel stifled in that time?
No, well, sometimes it gets a bit too much. Like I said, the hard thing is people expect a lot, expect you to come in and be all smiling and happy. I have noticed with a lot of people that we have worked with in the past, like� when we first started we were all bright and bushy eyed and yeah, yeah. It's just the way the business works, you do it for four years and then you are like, that�s it! It's not an arrogant thing, it's just you get used to it. So, a lot of people are like, you've changed and I'm like, yeah we have changed and I am glad I have changed. I am not going to act 17 years old no more. Even though I act about 12 most of the time, I try and keep creative in myself and try and change my look or change my thoughts. Hopefully my direction in art and everything has progressed because if it hasn't then I shouldn't be in this business.
What do you think you've learnt most about being in this business? Is there any one person who has given you some really good advice and you have thought, �mmm��? Did it change your perspective on the music?
No, I know this really nice quote from this old Indian philosopher, he was a wise man and he said �There is no meaning to life at all until you live life and you find your meaning. He got shot though. He should have taken his own advice!
What about any famous people you have met, you mentioned Elton John, is there anybody else? You've been quite well known for meeting famous people.
Famous people don't really.... I don't know if I have ever been impressed. Sean Bean, then I was star struck but that is because I used to watch Sharp when I was little. When I met Elton John.... I like to see what people are like behind their facade. At the end of the day everyone's a human being. They might be an Alien but it's like you've still got a soul whether you are an alien or a human. I like to see what people are like behind the fame/propaganda.
Why do you think you've been successful for so long? What is it about Blue that you manage to stay in that very competitive pop market?
I dunno. Blessed I suppose. Blessed from somewhere, still haven't figured out where. If everyone knew then everyone would be doing it. I think we have been very, very lucky and very blessed by my fans. I have been blessed by the fans, God, spirits, Buddah anything out there that is believable and you can have faith in.
Did you think right from the start that we're going to do this?
Yeah, as I grew up I was always thinking I wanted to be a group and then I met 3 other boys who had the same passion as I did, so yeah.
Is there anything you haven't achieved that you wanted to?
No, I wouldn't know I think �coz I live each day for the day. I still plan ahead, if you know what I mean, but hat way if it doesn't come off then I don't go away and sulk for a week. I get back up on my feet and keep on going. I never give up on anything, I always carry on going and carry on going and made sure..... I think with the rest of the boys, we've always had that strong character, we get on so well because we are very focussed. This is what we've got to do, this is where we are going. All of us are very strong characters, I wouldn't want to get in a row with any of us we can all talk and talk. We're all very articulate, I know I don't come across like that at times but I can come across that way. With this business, it makes you grow up fast. And before the group we were all quite clued up. We grew up in different parts of the country but still we had a lot of experience in life.
Do you feel it was like fate that you came together?
Yeah maybe, I dunno. I don't know if fate is a good word because it can be used negatively as well.
