David Essex

“I was always a little detached from the 'famous' aspect of it all - fame and fortune was really a peripheral thing, it was never a reason.”

“I admire Charles Dickens, mostly for the texture of his writing and the colourful characters he created. His work gives us, I think, a valuable insight into life in that period of time.”

“I started in blues bands when I was 15.”

“As a boy I was torn between my crushes on Ronnie Spector, Doris Day and the lead singer of The Shangri-Las.”

“For me the 60s was important because I was a teenager then and the bands then were the influences.”

“I am a nice person I think.”

“I'm just a natural scruff and I don't worry about face lifts and botox.”

“I once travelled through India by myself, staying in really basic places. I've never minded 'slumming it.'”

“I lived in America for a while but England is very much my home, and London especially.”

“I developed a passion for American blues music, and I'd buy albums from a record shop in Soho, which I played on my Dansette record player. My favourites were blues legends Memphis Slim, Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters.”

“I'm fairly frugal. I don't need money for a big pop-star life really.”

“My ears used to ring for about two hours after a concert from all the high-pitched screaming.”

“I'm not a natural extrovert and go to showbizzy things.”

“I don't believe in surgery or any of that stuff: I have earned every grey hair, and I'm proud of it.”

“I like active and interesting holidays - I'm not a sun worshipper at all.”

“There was a period of time that I got rather big-headed. It lasted about three weeks.”

“I think the world would be a richer place if there were less rules and regulations.”

“I'm a drummer that's what really I am, and it's gone downhill from there!”

“I've just never stopped working.”

“My priority in life has always been family. I actually think children teach you to be a man.”