Big Magazine, 28th May 1997
G.B.: It wasn't - it was just the press who said that. I wrote that song before I started going out with Dawn!
BIG: You're still with Dawn - any plans to settle down and have kids?
G.B.: Well, of course my career comes first and always has. I want to do two albums on the back of each other - it could take three or four years. If everything goes well in the States it could be longer. But while there are no children around, there's no pressure. The only reason I'd get married is if we had children.
BIG: Is that something you want to do?G.B.: Oh, definitely. I want to be a dad. She's a bit older than me though, so I haven't long to go! I want four children, I want two violins, a viola and a cello!
BIG: Robbie reckoned you put back the release date for your single cos you were scared of the competition. Is that true?
G.B.: Oh, that's rubbish. I can't believe he's still saying things like that. Our record companies made it so that our release dates didn't clash. At the end of the day we've both got important careers now. That's real self-flattery to think I'd move my record for him. That whole situation around the first singles gutted me. I couldn't believe it. The Robbie thing ruined it all for me.
BIG: Have you spoken to him recently?
G.B.: No, not recently. I spoke to him at the end of last year and everything was cool.
BIG: Have you been spiced?
G.B.: I have been Spiced, yes. I've met them a few times because they have the same management as me. The first time was in LA and my manager said he'd take me to their album launch. Anyway, this limo pulls up outside the hotel and I climbed in and there they all were! Then they attacked me. I was Spiced!
BIG: What do you think about their success?
G.B.: I think they're bigger than we ever were. It's unbelievable, they've gone down in history. A rise to fame like that is so sudden it's frightening. I'm glad it didn't happen to us like that. It would have been too much to handle.
BIG: Who's your favourite?
G.B.: I like Baby Spice, she's the nicest. She takes time out to talk to me all the time - Baby Spice is the one for me. Looks-wise? Well, Geri is a good-looker, I think she's more my age, too!
BIG: We saw the pictures of you, Howard and Jason dressed up in Batman gear for Elton John's 50th birthday party. Whose idea was that?
G.B.: I was sitting in this Indian restaurant in Manchester with Howard and Jason and I said we could go as the Goodfellas or something in smart suits. Then Howard goes, 'Oh no, we need something more outrageous, I can see me as Batman and you as Robin, Gaz'.
BIG: So were you up for it?
G.B.: No! I said, 'I've done all that dressing up with the tours, you're not going to get me in that.' But by the end of the night, I'd been talked round. It was worth it just to see Dawn dressed up as Catwoman. But the fancy dress costume was so uncomfortable! Next time I'm going as a boring man in a suit.
BIG: Do you see the lads a lot?
G.B.: Oh yeah, especially Howard cos he was always my best friend in the band. I speak to him at least once or twice a week. Jason's my neighbour now. He lives five minutes away from me in my old house, so I go and see him whenever I'm back.
BIG: Tell us about the album...
G.B.: It's been a long process, probably the most difficult album I'll ever make cos it's such an important time for me. The music we did as Take That is what I'm most comfortable with, I'd like to think this album is the album Take That would have made if we were still together.
BIG: What do you do in your spare time?
G.B.: I watch telly, I'm into EastEnders. I go to the cinema a lot and I love being at home with the dogs.
BIG: Do your parents still live nearby?
G.B.: Yeah, they live 200 yards away - just down the back of the garden. They look after my dogs Jim and Jess when I'm away. The dogs love it, they're a bit disappointed when I get back cos they don't get fed on time.
BIG: What do you think of boy bands like 911 and Boyzone?
G.B.: I think they're great, as long as people enjoy their music that's all that matters - but I try not to meet these people if I can help it. I don't like hanging out with stars, it's a bit cliche. Do you remember that band Worlds Apart? They're massive. They're number one in France, I wish I was! Actually, I've done a French and a Spanish version of my next single So Help Me Girl. It's really funny.
BIG: Why?
G.B.: Because I want to be big in France. This girl came over from France and taught me how to do it. I was like 'Ahhh, oui, oui, bonjour.' The words don't actually fit but they say the same sort of thing.
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