I do a lot of vocal hygiene.

It worries me that young singers think you can shortcut the training and go straight to fame and fortune, and programmes like Pop Idol have encouraged that.

I'm very pro presenting the best music I can to the widest audience possible.

One of the problems that we face through the media attention that these artists receive is that there has been an awful lot of talk about opera and classical music being elite and being for an elitist group.

Singing is an arduous business and it needs sacrifices.

That was when I realised that music is the most profound, magical form of communication there is.

My mum used to say to me, 'Spit on yer 'ands and take a fresh 'old.' Keep going even if you have setbacks.