One Big Holiday?

10th February 2000

You filmed Sunburn in the Algarve. Was it one big holiday?

It was a laugh, but there was work involved. We were there for four months and had villas next to each other, so there was a real holiday atmosphere. Did Michelle Collins and me reminisce about Walford? No, there was lots of getting pissed and talking shit, but we didn’t talk about “the good old days” on Eastenders.

Your pop career…explain please?

[Groans]. I had three years going round the world getting pissed at the record company’s expense. I went to America, Australia and India, got to see my name on a record, got to play at Wembley and hear my songs on the radio. I’m grateful I had that opportunity. I was a young guy who got lured with money and presents.

Hmm. Milady Maguire sounds a tad defensive…

[Laughs] Maybe. But I didn’t regret it – I learned an awful lot ‘cos of all the shit that happened. Looking back, as an actor I pulled off the role of a lifetime. I played a pop star and convinced people I could do it. Unfortunately I lost the plot.

How do you mean?

I turned into an arsehole. I tried to live the life I thought I was supposed to, and became a shallow dick. I alienated my friends and family because so much happened so fast. I was 18, and so much was expected of me. I was an incredible pressure.

Were drinks and drugs a problem?

Not a major problem, but I went I bit further down the road than I’d have preferred. I looked run down and lost weight, so people assumed I was bang into drugs. I wasn’t bad, but like everyone in my position I experimented.

Everyone thinks you make millions and sleep with all you fans. What’s the reality?

Hahahaha! You do make quite a bit of money, but it all goes back out on dancers and flights and hotels. And as far as “Sleeping with fans” – the fans are great, but most were 13 or 14 and not the kind of girls you want to start bed hopping with, unless you want to share your cell with Gary Glitter.

How’s your love life?

That’s the only subject I don’t want to talk about at the moment because I’m in a bit of a mess. The less I say the better.