BBC1chat

A1 Fanzite 2002 | home

Linn Adams: Ben, your dog is very sweet. Who takes care of her when you are away?

Ben: My mum. She's absolutely lovely. She doesn't like most dogs, but she loves Holly. My dog

is about 20 weeks old now.

Rebecca: Do you remember your very first gig and if you do what was it like?

Ben: It was called the Big Bash, in Birmingham. It was excellent, because it was our first time on stage together. It was before our first single was released, so no-one knew who we were! But we had a few people screaming at us, which was kind of strange.

Ceero: If one of you was stuck in the elevator with Marilyn Manson, what would you ask him?

Ben: Paul would probably like to be stuck with him because he's a fan. I'd probably say, "please don't kill me, you very scary man". I like his new single 'Tainted Love'. The video's wicked.

Lucy Hooper: Who do you want to win Pop Idol?

Ben: I think Gareth should win - he's got the best voice. Although, I haven't really been watching it much, just on and off. If I hadn't been in a band, I'd probably have a go on Pop Idol, but I think it gives a lot of people the wrong impression of how an artist comes about - they're not always successful on the first day. We've been allowed to make lots of mistakes, but when Pop Idol contestants make mistakes, millions of people see.

Kirsty: How old were you when you discovered you had a talent for singing?

Ben: I was about three. My mum used to make me stand on a chair and sing along to her Tracy Chapman records. Also, I was head chorister of the biggest choir in the UK, St Margaret's at Westminster Abbey.

Alex: What CDs do you listen to when you are on the road?

Ben: Mainly our third album, actually! I think Usher`s stuff is pretty good, and stuff like Suzanne Vega that I used to listen to when I was younger.

Gemma Cannock: If you could be in any other band, old or new who would it be?

Ben: Probably Boys II Men- I think that would be quite fun.

Carlos Oliveira: What's the weirdest thing you've had to sign?

Ben: A guy's bum, although I don't think I signed it in the end.

Vicky Panday: Would you ever go solo?

Ben: I think if A1 didn't go well I'd consider it, but we're having a good time, so there's no need at the moment.

Theo: Do you like Blue?

Ben: Yeah, I think they've got some good songs, and they're nice lads.

Hannah Haynes: If you could get rid of any artist in the charts at the moment, who would it be?

Ben: Probably Enrique. But I'm not bitter...

Dave: What is your favourite place to just sit back and relax?

Ben: Definitely my home. If I could spend more time there I would because I love it. It's my own little place where I can do whatever I want. I've got my own studio now, so sometimes I write a song, or play Playstation, or have a bath - that's the best way to relax!

JJ1: You have a scar on your eyebrow, how did it happen?

Ben: I jumped head-first onto a metal coffee table when I was younger - not the most clever thing to do, so I didn't repeat it!

Stacey Day: How long did it take you to learn the dance routine to 'Take On Me'?

Ben: About three days, which was pretty good for us. I think when we were doing all our dance routines, we found them really difficult. So we were pleased when we finally knocked them on the head.

Rebekah Nicolson: Why did you decide to change your style of music?

Ben: It was just a natural progression really. We took a year out to assess what we do, and we looked at what we did best. We didn't think dancing was what we did best. We had all trained to do music for years and years, and we were getting bored of miming and dancing on stage, so the more we could play our instruments and sing the better. And the songs that we were writing - over 60 during our time off - lent themselves better to our instruments.

Tiffany: Why do you have such crazy hair?

Paul: I suppose I had two mohicans last year - it's really short now, so it's easy to keep. Thanks for your question!

Kirsty: What is your new tattoo and when did you get it?

Paul: I'm getting one designed - it's going to cover the left hand side of my chest, left hand side of my back, and it'll go round my shoulder and on my arm. It's going to be an Indian tattoo - Indian elephant, Taj Mahal, lots of Kama Sutra couples and things like that. The more tattoos you get, the more you want, really!

Becky Kitchin: When are you planning to tour the UK again?

Paul: We'll probably do one or two more singles, release the album, and if it goes well, we'll do an arena tour later in the year.

Wenche: When did you lose your virginity?

Paul: I nearly lost it when I was eight - she was schooling me I think! - but I was 15 or 16, I think. Her name was Julie.

Maz: Ever been caught in a compromising position a la Jamie Theakston?

Paul: You could have caught me in a club in Dublin about a week ago!

Karina: If you had to describe your dream girl how would she look?

Paul : I have no idea. I like bums. She wouldn't have to be supermodel skinny - I like meat on my women!

Ashleigh Cox: Ever been embarrassed by the other boys?

Paul: It's impossible - when they're doing something embarrassing, I usually laugh so much that I'm not embarrassed!

Jess Brown: Are you learning to play any instruments?

Paul: I play the drums, and I've just started learning to play the bass - it's good because Christian knows the bass and he gives me tips.

Sophie Simpson: Who would you like to be stuck in a lift with?

Paul: Salma Hayek and Charlize Theron.

Joanne: If you were a girl for a day what would you do?

Paul: I would find the nearest lesbian club and just let hell loose.

TOTP: So you wouldn't fancy Paul from A1?

Paul: No. He's crap in bed.

Ben Holly: What's the most annoying thing about Ben

Paul: When I first joined the group, they all annoyed me, but now I like them all. Ben has the loudest farts - and we're all proud of him because of that!

TOTP: That's all we have time for. Here is Paul with a final word...

Paul: Thanks for your support as always. You've made the beginning of this year, getting us to No.2. See you on the road later in the year!


	A1 Fanzite 2002 \| home BBC1chat Linn Adams: Ben, your dog is very sweet. Who takes care of her when you are away? Ben: My mum. She's absolutely lovely. She doesn't like most dogs, but she loves Holly. My dog is about 20 weeks old now. Rebecca: Do you remember your very first gig and if you do what was it like? Ben: It was called the Big Bash, in Birmingham. It was excellent, because it was our first time on stage together. It was before our first single was released, so no-one knew who we were! But we had a few people screaming at us, which was kind of strange. Ceero: If one of you was stuck in the elevator with Marilyn Manson, what would you ask him? Ben: Paul would probably like to be stuck with him because he's a fan. I'd probably say, "please don't kill me, you very scary man". I like his new single 'Tainted Love'. The video's wicked. Lucy Hooper: Who do you want to win Pop Idol? Ben: I think Gareth should win - he's got the best voice. Although, I haven't really been watching it much, just on and off. If I hadn't been in a band, I'd probably have a go on Pop Idol, but I think it gives a lot of people the wrong impression of how an artist comes about - they're not always successful on the first day. We've been allowed to make lots of mistakes, but when Pop Idol contestants make mistakes, millions of people see. Kirsty: How old were you when you discovered you had a talent for singing? Ben: I was about three. My mum used to make me stand on a chair and sing along to her Tracy Chapman records. Also, I was head chorister of the biggest choir in the UK, St Margaret's at Westminster Abbey. Alex: What CDs do you listen to when you are on the road? Ben: Mainly our third album, actually! I think Usher`s stuff is pretty good, and stuff like Suzanne Vega that I used to listen to when I was younger. Gemma Cannock: If you could be in any other band, old or new who would it be? Ben: Probably Boys II Men- I think that would be quite fun. Carlos Oliveira: What's the weirdest thing you've had to sign? Ben: A guy's bum, although I don't think I signed it in the end. Vicky Panday: Would you ever go solo? Ben: I think if A1 didn't go well I'd consider it, but we're having a good time, so there's no need at the moment. Theo: Do you like Blue? Ben: Yeah, I think they've got some good songs, and they're nice lads. Hannah Haynes: If you could get rid of any artist in the charts at the moment, who would it be? Ben: Probably Enrique. But I'm not bitter... Dave: What is your favourite place to just sit back and relax? Ben: Definitely my home. If I could spend more time there I would because I love it. It's my own little place where I can do whatever I want. I've got my own studio now, so sometimes I write a song, or play Playstation, or have a bath - that's the best way to relax! JJ1: You have a scar on your eyebrow, how did it happen? Ben: I jumped head-first onto a metal coffee table when I was younger - not the most clever thing to do, so I didn't repeat it! Stacey Day: How long did it take you to learn the dance routine to 'Take On Me'? Ben: About three days, which was pretty good for us. I think when we were doing all our dance routines, we found them really difficult. So we were pleased when we finally knocked them on the head. Rebekah Nicolson: Why did you decide to change your style of music? Ben: It was just a natural progression really. We took a year out to assess what we do, and we looked at what we did best. We didn't think dancing was what we did best. We had all trained to do music for years and years, and we were getting bored of miming and dancing on stage, so the more we could play our instruments and sing the better. And the songs that we were writing - over 60 during our time off - lent themselves better to our instruments. Tiffany: Why do you have such crazy hair? Paul: I suppose I had two mohicans last year - it's really short now, so it's easy to keep. Thanks for your question! Kirsty: What is your new tattoo and when did you get it? Paul: I'm getting one designed - it's going to cover the left hand side of my chest, left hand side of my back, and it'll go round my shoulder and on my arm. It's going to be an Indian tattoo - Indian elephant, Taj Mahal, lots of Kama Sutra couples and things like that. The more tattoos you get, the more you want, really! Becky Kitchin: When are you planning to tour the UK again? Paul: We'll probably do one or two more singles, release the album, and if it goes well, we'll do an arena tour later in the year. Wenche: When did you lose your virginity? Paul: I nearly lost it when I was eight - she was schooling me I think! - but I was 15 or 16, I think. Her name was Julie. Maz: Ever been caught in a compromising position a la Jamie Theakston? Paul: You could have caught me in a club in Dublin about a week ago! Karina: If you had to describe your dream girl how would she look? Paul : I have no idea. I like bums. She wouldn't have to be supermodel skinny - I like meat on my women! Ashleigh Cox: Ever been embarrassed by the other boys? Paul: It's impossible - when they're doing something embarrassing, I usually laugh so much that I'm not embarrassed! Jess Brown: Are you learning to play any instruments? Paul: I play the drums, and I've just started learning to play the bass - it's good because Christian knows the bass and he gives me tips. Sophie Simpson: Who would you like to be stuck in a lift with? Paul: Salma Hayek and Charlize Theron. Joanne: If you were a girl for a day what would you do? Paul: I would find the nearest lesbian club and just let hell loose. TOTP: So you wouldn't fancy Paul from A1? Paul: No. He's crap in bed. Ben Holly: What's the most annoying thing about Ben Paul: When I first joined the group, they all annoyed me, but now I like them all. Ben has the loudest farts - and we're all proud of him because of that! TOTP: That's all we have time for. Here is Paul with a final word... Paul: Thanks for your support as always. You've made the beginning of this year, getting us to No.2. See you on the road later in the year!