My dad was a soul fan and a singer himself, and he loved vocal harmony, stuff like the Beach Boys and Motown like the Four Tops, which was a big influence on me.

Studying music, everyone sort of has their own style - it's not like everyone's going for the same part.

I love writing songs where the name is the title.

I went to the Brit School for the performing arts in Croydon at 14, picking music as my main subject, and I'm so glad I did. I knew lots of people who'd gone there, so I always had my mind set on it.

My mum loved Joan Armatrading and used to play her records all the time and even took me to see her a couple of times when I was really quite young. I didn't really like her music back then because my mum was always playing it, but I've grown to appreciate it more.

Destiny's Child literally taught me how to sing.

When I was 18, I'd be out four nights a week - I want to have that energy again but I've found I'm a bit old and ready for retirement.