Tony Hadley

Rocknroll is a selfish business because youre always thinking about the tour, the show, promotion and writing new albums. Your head is somewhere else, but Ive learnt to not let it be all-consuming. You want time with your family.

But especially in America when you've got four people in a room and they do a songwriting day, well one of them might literally just come up with one line but they get 25% of the song.

I wish I'd been in Duran Duran.

They film 'Midsomer Murders' near our village, so we joke that if ever there was a murder we'd call for DCI Barnaby.

I moved to this 16th-century cottage in 2011 with my wife Ali and I've really enjoyed doing it up to accommodate our family.

I'm so lucky to have five wonderful children.

Live Aid is up there with anything I've ever done in my life: meeting so many heroes and being part of such a global phenomenon.

My main memory of the Princes Trust concert at Wembley was Ringo Starr asking for my autograph for his kids. Ringo Starr, asking me! That was quite a moment.

I used to go along to the auditions for school plays but I never had the courage to actually audition. I wanted to sing though and was really into Elton John, Rod Stewart and Queen, so I eventually forced myself to sing at Brean Sands Holiday Park in Somerset when I was 14.

I only started writing in the latter days of Spandau Ballet. I didnt know I could write because all had our roles within the band.

My paternal grandmother, Nanny Hadley, lived in a block of flats in London; you could see the corner post of the Arsenal football ground from her front window. We were all supporters of Arsenal because of that.

My maternal grandmother, Rose, was as tough as an old boot - she knew her own mind. She was the first person I lost in my life whom I was really close to. I loved and looked up to her and respected her.

I have never been very good with technology and when it comes to gadgets I normally lag pretty far behind my friends.

There is nothing better than standing at a bar, talking nonsense, while sipping a pint of real ale. Give me a pub rather than a fancy wine bar or a nightclub any day. They really are the hub of local communities and I hate the fact that so many are closing.

Although I am happy to hike over mountains and to trek through jungles, one thing I hate is not being clean.

I wouldnt describe myself as vain but I am particular about my appearance.

Im a big fan of Sunday family lunches.

Whilst I love Italian food, when I think of Dubai I think spices, tangy and zing.

When I was a small child in London in the early 1960s, I had whooping cough. Then, when I was ten, I had a bone infection called osteomyelitis. I was given antibiotics, and I remember being really groggy and in pain.

I make music, I check the mix and if its right, Ill put it to bed and move on. The memories are all in your mind, I dont have time to look at old stuff.

Im not a nostalgia freak, I never listen to old Spandau Ballet stuff.

Even on holiday, I like to exercise at least every other day.

No Visit to Thailand is complete without a visit to an elephant sanctuary. We were happy to see well-treated elephants at Nosey Parkers in Ao Nang.

I started my first day in Thailand as I intended to go on, with a massage. I had heard that Thai massage was the best you can have, and I certainly wasn't disappointed.

I loathe litterbugs and Im pretty vocal if I see someone do it.

When I was eight I discovered 'The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe' by C S Lewis and it made me fall in love with reading.

I was too trusting when I was younger, especially of certain people in the music business.

I would advise any new young band to get good, independent legal advice before signing anything.

Even prior to my herniated disc, Id been to an acupuncturist in Oxford for general muscular pain, and to an osteopath.

I go to the gym every week and I love cross-country running, walking, boxing, football and skiing.

I just eat pretty healthily, with lots of salad and muesli in the morning.

People say 53 is too old to be a dad, but I dont think so. Its the input you have that counts, and youre more experienced and worldly-wise.

Fans used to write love letters to me, but I havent had any marriage proposals.

I said once I liked chocolate chip cookies and now I get full packets of them thrown at me on stage. I wish Id said it was Cartier watches.

There were always so many beautiful women throwing themselves at us. One time we had 40 models in our hotel suite someone had called an agency and invited them along.

Apart from playing Billy Flynn in 'Chicago' in the West End, Ive not done much acting.

In business, I can get the big picture, thebig ideas, but not the finer details. I am good at delegating, however, and trusting the people to whom I do delegate.

I would love to see a politician who really loves his country and is working for the people and not for him or herself.

There is far too much aggression and violence in society and people should be kinder to one another.

I have a pretty good life. I dont dwell in the past, that is dangerous. I have no regrets and try to learn from my mistakes.

Ive got four vertebrae that are fusing and compressing together so I am getting smaller. It doesnt bother me. Its just what it is.

Im not in charge of the barbecue because my wife says I burn everything.

TV can edit things to make anyone look good or bad.

One day Id like to try my hand at doing a gritty cop drama.

Before I went into the music business I wanted to be a surgeon.

We shared a doctor in Harley Street, and it turned out Axl Rose was a huge fan of mine, which was cool because Im a bit of a rocker - I should have worn spandex and grown my hair long but instead I joined a pop band.

I had re-joined Spandau with a good heart, but I just got to the point where I thought I honestly cannot do this any more.

My first trip was probably to Camber Sands in East Sussex, where I remember playing in the dunes on the beach.

My mum, Josephine, is a great believer that you can be whatever you want in life. I was raised as part of the postwar generation and encouraged to do well at school.

My brother Steve was always considered the naughty one but I used to drive my parents to despair because I had no fear. Id climb a tree without testing the branches and I was always getting into scrapes.