They understand what their market is and who they should be selling records to, and most importantly, they know the kind of artist that they want to be, but they have to do it themselves. You don't want a 13-year-old singing some awful song from a musical.

The only people with power today are the audience. And that is increasing with Twitter, Facebook, and everything else. We cater to their likes and dislikes, and you ignore that at your peril.

I think the best singers in the world, historically, are American. Britain's got its fair share, as well, but some of the greatest singers, ever, whether you're talking about Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey or Aretha Franklin, are from the legacy here.

You don't go into anything contemplating failure, because if you did, you wouldn't make it.

Britain's got talent, enormous talent, that's very obvious.

No, what I am doing is kind by telling people who are useless, "Do something that you're good at".

It simply works. You do it twice a year. Who cares? And it balances my smoking and drinking.