大象传媒

After admiring the many animal artefacts dotted around Dougie鈥檚 flat 鈥� from a saber-toothed tiger鈥檚 skull to glass cases filled with extinct insects - he and Mariella settle down to chat about the McFly star鈥檚 favourite books of all time.

A whopping three tales are dedicated to one of his biggest interests in life: dinosaurs! Whilst discussing Michael Crichton鈥檚 1990鈥檚 fictional classic 鈥淛urassic Park鈥�, his most loved non-fiction book 鈥淭he Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs鈥� by Stephen Brusatte, and the comical children鈥檚 booked he penned with his band mate 鈥淭he Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet鈥�, Dougie explains how this niche passion extends from a fascination and respect for the wonders of the natural world.

Upon being asked what sparked his interest, he recalls being taken by his Mum to the Natural History Museum at the age of 3 and being blown away. They chat more about his childhood, with Dougie revealing the pain that came with his father leaving one day without a trace, and the on-going journey of dealing with that loss.

Several of Dougie鈥檚 choices allude to his rock and roll lifestyle; he read the notoriously wild anecdotes of the band M枚tley Cr眉e in their book 鈥淭he Dirt鈥� at a time when he himself was partying dangerously hard as young pop star at the peak of fame. He opens up about his struggles with drink and drug addiction and how he found the road to recovery.

Throughout the interview, Mariella and Dougie relive his incredible life story and the books that have punctuated this journey.

Dougie鈥檚 choices: The book that鈥�
鈥� Is my favourite non-fiction book about dinosaurs: 鈥淭he Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs鈥� by Stephen Brusatte, 2018
鈥�. Is true rock and roll: 鈥淭he Dirt鈥� by M枚tley Cr眉e, 2001
鈥� Reminds me of the romance and roughness of being on tour: 鈥淥n The Road鈥� by Jack Kerouac, 1957
鈥� I loved writing: 鈥淭he Dinosaur That Pooped A Planet鈥� by Tom Fletcher & Dougie Poynter, 2012
鈥� Epitomises my love of dinosaurs: 鈥淛urassic Park鈥� by Michael Crichton, 1990
鈥� Helps me understand our place in the universe: 鈥淪apiens: A Brief History of Humankind鈥� by Yuval Noah Harari, 2011

Presenter and Executive Producer: Mariella Frostrup
Producer: Sera Baker
Music: Matt Clifford at Music and Voices
TBI Media Production for 大象传媒 Sounds