Real talent will get through whatever the obstacles.

I don't take myself seriously any more. Sometimes I just garden in my knickers and platform shoes.

My whole career was launched in such sort of poptastic style with 'Kids In America', and I liked - and like - being poptastic. Songs big on melody, high on energy, lots of attitude... what's wrong with that?

I don't mind being laughed at: that's something I really don't mind, and I think that's kept me sane. My ability to laugh at myself and allow others to laugh at me has been my saving grace.

I'd got married and wanted to have kids, so had kids, brought them up, did other things, and slowly got back into music. And it feels great, having one foot in the present, writing and covering interesting songs, and having one foot in the past.

Sex does not exist for me at all. I haven't had a boyfriend for a long time. There were only three or four in my life up until now anyway.

I got to show off in front of my husband, who married me as I was stepping out of the business, so he had no idea that I could strut my stuff on the stage.