Quotes from Tony Hadley

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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

I went on a school trip aged 13 around the Mediterranean on a Second World War ship. Seeing lemon trees and orange groves at that age was amazing.

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.

There are people who can out-twiddle me all over the place. But Ive got a very distinctive voice. Whatever I sing, you know its Tony Hadley. And that is 99per cent of being a frontman.

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

Id go back to Mauritius in a shot.

Be open-minded so you can always see the other side of the coin.

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

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.

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.

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

Some of the craziest audiences are in Italy. They are very emotional and passionate so it is always fun to play across the country I always enjoy the amazing food.

Although I love travelling and I've been to some wonderful places, I always appreciate coming home.

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.