Rick Astley

“I don't trust politicians. I think that by the time they've made it, with the concessions they've had to make in that position, I don't believe they still have the beliefs they had at the root.”

“I was the youngest of four kids, and Dad, who had a garden centre before he retired, came from a large Lancashire family. Every one of my uncles had their own business, including a post office, two fish and chip shops and a painting and decorating business.”

“Don't expect fame to come overnight. That filtered through to me in my own career. Look at Madonna: she's not the best singer in the world, but she's got where she has through hard work.”

“There's some songs you can cover, and I've covered and butchered a few, but you can't do them all.”

“I used to go to soul nights because I loved dancing, and so did my friends, and we loved the music. We used to go listen to black American soul.”

“When I was still at school, I'd help Dad at the concrete yard he had prior to the garden centre. I was doing things there, like driving the tractors and forklifts, that most kids my age couldn't.”

“I've done drives through Budapest and Oslo and used to drive to Sardinia, too, which is quite a journey. Drives are an adventure because I don't plan them too carefully. I take detours depending on how I feel and usually stop and stay at places I like the look of.”

“I'm a person who tries not to have regrets.”

“I come away from a gig thinking, 'Yeah, I'm worth something.' I can still do it and entertain people, and that's worth it.”

“It's really weird seeing someone impersonating you. But at the same time, Vic Reeves' impersonation of me is one of the highlights of my life.”

“I am honoured that my fans worked so hard to help me win Best Act Ever at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards.”

“You can't explain the feeling of singing hit songs to an audience - it's like being a genuine sports star at the peak of their powers.”

“'Never Gonna Give You Up' in 1987 was a huge international hit followed by several more, and while I appreciated how lucky I was, it catapulted me into a completely new world and simply took over my life.”

“My dad loved Scotland, so we would pile into his caravan and head for the Highlands, to Fort William and Loch Ness. It was such an adventure - my siblings and I were allowed to roam and explore the local beaches. We loved the freedom of those trips.”