I had this idea... I wanted the sound to sing and have that thickness but yet still have an edge so that it could articulate. So my dad and I designed the guitar... the one that was made from an old fireplace.

Astronomy's much more fun when you're not an astronomer

I'm pretty basic as far as technique is concerned. I don't use many gadgets, and I like the sound my guitar makes, anyway.

I like a big neck – thick, flat and wide. I lacquered the fingerboard with Rustin's Plastic Coating. The tremolo is interesting in that the arm's made from an old bicycle saddle bag carrier, the knob at the end's off a knitting needle and the springs are valve springs from an old motorbike.

The first nine albums there was never a Synthesiser, never any Orchestra. There was never any other player except us on the albums.

My children hate me being such a big star. It's very hard for them to have a father who is always in the public eye.

I tend to be not a person who does everything right all the time.