My singing career began when I moved to London in 1989 with my best friend David Brooks to find our fame and fortune. I met David in college and we freaked each other out with our 80’s perms. His musical note jumper also clashed promisingly with my 80’s zip jeans. Our fashion sense in place, we were positive we’d get a record deal in 2 weeks and got a band together called Jump the Gap. We did all the pubs and clubs in London, got a manager and on the verge of a major breakthrough..... the drummers van broke down!

David and I then started Carwash! A 70’s music based band that has become very successful. David now has his own band, Sugarland, and we still record together.

I decided I needed to meet more people in the music industry and started answering ads in the Melody Maker, a now defunct music magazine. I was once in a band with 15 guitarists and two drummers called World of Leather. Made no money but gained loads of mates. During this time, I also did a theatre course and got extra’s work in Eastenders and The Bill - it was great fun being sat in the Queen Vic. My then manager introduced me to Nick Van Eede of Cutting Crew and we began writing and recording together. We still write with each other and have become great friends. He’s a bit of a mentor for me in the fickle world of show biz.

I then began my first major tour as a backing vocalist for Gary Numan. Gary’s first question to me was “have you got anything in rubber?” I was very naive (1st tour etc) and came in for a lot of teasing and tricks being played on me. Luckily I had Gemma, Gary’s wife, to guide me along with the tour manager. I had lots of problems with stage wear too. I wore my red cat suit the wrong way round on the first show, fun for the audience I suppose. Then my PVC trousers melted on stage at the Marquee club, following that I slipped and split them up the back. It was a great tour, Gary’s fans are so committed and he was great fun to work with. continued