´óÏó´«Ã½

You contributed to Spiceworld - The Movie and the S Club 7 TV series. Do you still listen to the charts?
Paul: Up to a point. I don't really play much music at home but I flick through all the stations from Radio 1, Radio 2 to Jazz FM to Heart. I go through the lot. I think that's why I've been so fortunate in selling loads of records because I'm not afraid of change. I've not just stuck in the dance market - I've crossed over to pop before and R&B and rap...

What do you think of Eminem?
Paul: I can take some of it. I think he's really talented. I don't think there's any real reason for him to go as ballistic with his words as he does but the guy is very good. I don't think there's any need for the really horrible side of him to come out. He's good and so were Run DMC. I remember when I was first making records I went over to New York to get the vibe of what was going on there and they were in the same studio as me. I thought, s*** they're mixing rap with rock - it was when they did 'Walk This Way' with Aerosmith. So, there are a lot of good artists out there, but my favourite band is Pink Floyd.

Since you've been around for 20 years you must have met a lot of your heroes?
Paul: Yeah. I got to produce the last single of Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott. I've also worked with Ian Dury, Barry White, Five Star...I can't have a go at my career. It's been brilliant.

Can you tell us how you got to do the TOTP theme?

Paul: Well, that was a big highlight of my career! There are not many people who have been asked to do that. Phil Lynott did it before me! I was doing TOTP with Carol Kenyon with 'Don't Waste My Time'. We were at No.8 that week and they said: 'You're opening on TOTP this week'. All of a sudden we came off and Michael Hurl, the producer, said: 'Nice to meet you.' He was God then! And he asked if I was interested in doing the theme. Yes please! A few minutes after I phoned up Simon Fuller - he was my manager - and I told him and he said: 'You're joking - I don't believe you!' It was an absolute buzz!