Tony Hadley
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.Collection: Fear
I studied Russian history at school, and I absolutely loved St Petersburg. It was magnificent - the architecture is incredible and has quite a significant Dutch influence.Collection: Architecture
Be open-minded so you can always see the other side of the coin.
Even prior to my herniated disc, Id been to an acupuncturist in Oxford for general muscular pain, and to an osteopath.
Although I love travelling and I've been to some wonderful places, I always appreciate coming home.
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.
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 wish I'd been in Duran Duran.
Whilst I love Italian food, when I think of Dubai I think spices, tangy and zing.
Im not a nostalgia freak, I never listen to old Spandau Ballet stuff.
Sometimes I do find myself out there, looking for answers. But maybe there are no answers, maybe there is no rhyme or reason. Thats life, its up and down and Ive had my fair share of both.
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.
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.
Apart from playing Billy Flynn in 'Chicago' in the West End, Ive not done much acting.
One day Id like to try my hand at doing a gritty cop drama.
TV can edit things to make anyone look good or bad.
Im not in charge of the barbecue because my wife says I burn everything.
Ive got four vertebrae that are fusing and compressing together so I am getting smaller. It doesnt bother me. Its just what it is.
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.
There is far too much aggression and violence in society and people should be kinder to one another.
I would love to see a politician who really loves his country and is working for the people and not for him or herself.
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.
Before I went into the music business I wanted to be a surgeon.
I did a gig for the Red Cross during the Balkans conflict, but we couldnt land in the city as they were trying to shoot the planes down. We had to land in Budapest and make the seven-hour car journey on bumpy roads instead, and when we finally arrived, a riot almost broke out in the venue.
Id been touring in Japan and Australia and was due to play in America when Covid struck. I couldnt get back to England for a whole week, so I ended up spending it in Miami on my own.
Aortic valve replacement? Very interesting, actually. Im a bit weird.
I was a bit of a strange kid in some ways. I had microscopes, scalpels.
I went to a biological exhibition when I was about ten or 11, so I was really into biology, nature, that kind of thing.
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 like visiting beaches and seeing the area. We went to St Mawes in Cornwall with my brother recently and spent the days crabbing, mackerel fishing and having barbecues.
Id go back to Mauritius in a shot.
I hit 51 the other week but I still feel like I'm 28.
Listen, Im not technically the best singer in the world.
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.
You have to be philosophical about life, you cant angst over it too much.
My first trip was probably to Camber Sands in East Sussex, where I remember playing in the dunes on the beach.
I've toured all over the world, and all over the UK too, but I mainly get to see venues, hotels and airports - which is a bit unfortunate.
One thing you notice on treks is how little people wash. I always manage to find a stream, but on one trip there was a guy who didn't wash for six days. It was pretty disgusting.
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.
I would advise any new young band to get good, independent legal advice before signing anything.
Im a big fan of Sunday family lunches.
I wouldnt describe myself as vain but I am particular about my appearance.
Although I am happy to hike over mountains and to trek through jungles, one thing I hate is not being clean.
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 have never been very good with technology and when it comes to gadgets I normally lag pretty far behind my friends.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.