Mark Owen

Yes, I suppose it is in some ways. But for me it's a happy ending because the characters in the song are doing what they want to be doing. They're all living their four minutes to the full and are quite happy.

Yes, I'm back in the music world. I've always been writing songs but have never had anyone to play them to. It's nice now to be getting some feedback. We're doing tours and showcases and it's very exciting for me at the moment.

No, not at all.

When I initially wrote the song it was recorded at 120bpm, so it did last exactly four minutes. But now we've sped the track up a little bit, so maybe that's why it finishes earlier. There are so many versions of this song around at the moment that I'm not sure which one you're talking about!

I do.

No. I wrote it about two years before '24' started.

It took me about six years to get this right. That would take me about thirty! But, yeah, I would!

I get up a bit earlier and go to bed a bit later. Truth be known, I don't really feel any different. I know there are a lot more people working behind us and that's a bit scary. I'd got used to working on my own. The biggest difference is having something to get up for in the morning and having itineraries telling me what I'm doing and where I'm going. I'm really fortunate because I'm in a job I love doing. The nice thing is I get back at 8 o'clock and I can say to myself, "That was a good day at work". The biggest buzz is starting to talk about touring again and performing.

I've been doing roadshows where I've met Busted, Triple 8, D-Side and so on, and I can relate to what they're going through at the moment and how they're trying to get started with their own personal pop careers. I still feel I relate to Robbie Williams. What he's going through now is similar only ten times bigger. I've been at home for the last three years watching people like Craig David and Daniel Bedingfield on the TV building their careers. They remember me from my old days, especially the younger ones who say, "Wow, we loved Take That. We've modelled ourselves on your band." But, on the other hand, I'm thinking, "I saw you on the telly last week." It's very bizarre.

Not really. I think you have to find your own feet.

I look back on our career and we never had a hit for the first three songs. For people now it's a lot faster. I think people should be given a bit longer and a bit more opportunity to develop and find their own feet.

I think the amazing thing about the pop scene is that it adapts. I don't know how things will go in the music world but there'll always be music.

You're going on an exotic holiday, how long would you need to pack?

Have you ever forgotten anything essential?

You've got to prepare for a posh showbiz event. How long would it take you?

Do you like getting dressed up for posh events or do you just go in your normal clothes? I don't really have any posh clothes. I've got one suit that's come out for about fifteen different occasions.

Probably about five or ten minutes but I like to have the hour before the show to myself.

Not ceremonies but I just like to breathe. There are often a lot of people around and I just like to be able to chill out.

No, not really. I haven't practiced it for a long time.

[Incredulous] I don't have a hairy nose.

I'd probably just think "Why?" I'd get a body double in. I don't think you can prepare for that. I think you just have to jump in, grit you teeth and go.

It would take me as long as everyone else in the band to decide they wanted to do it.

I'd welcome them, as long as they're like E.T. and friendly.

I've met the Queen. It was part of a whole The Royal Variety Show. If I'm going out and have to make a bit of an effort I always give myself about an hour.