Wham’s Andrew Ridgeley looks back: ‘Fame or anonymity? I choose famous anonymity’ | Pop and rock

Born in Surrey, Andrew Ridgeley, 61, fashioned Wham! along with his faculty good friend George Michael. From 1982, the band dominated the charts with hits akin to Membership Tropicana, Wake Me Up Earlier than You Go-Go, Freedom and I’m Your Man. This yr is the fortieth anniversary of the discharge of their single Final Christmas, which has develop into festive traditional; a commemorative EP is out now. Ridgeley lives in Cornwall.

When had been you happiest?
When George, Shirlie [the Wham! backing singer, whom Ridgeley dated] and I had been knocking about as youngsters.

What’s your earliest reminiscence?
It’s of my paternal grandfather, who my brother and I delighted in being scared of, and whom we named Drac as we thought he bore a resemblance to Rely Dracula.

Except for a property, what’s the most costly factor you’ve purchased?
A pension.

What’s your most treasured possession?
A photograph of George, Shirlie and me from 1983.

Describe your self in three phrases.
Male, common top.

What makes you sad?
Watching the England males’s soccer workforce.

Should you may convey one thing extinct again to life, what would you select?
My favorite cat, Kipper.

Who would play you within the movie of your life?
Somebody with nothing higher to do.

What’s your most unappealing behavior?
Snappiness.

What scares you about getting older?
Getting older doesn’t scare me.

Which e book are you ashamed to not have learn?
Joseph Conrad’s Lord Jim, which was one of many set texts for my English literature A-level. I’ve nearly completed it.

What did you wish to be whenever you had been rising up?
That reasonably assumes I’ve grown up.

Would you select fame or anonymity?
Well-known anonymity.

What do you owe your dad and mom?
Half-decent genes.

To whom would you most wish to express regret, and why?
My dad, as a result of he died earlier than I may say goodbye.

What or who’s the best love of your life?
Harvey’s Sussex Finest bitter.

What does love really feel like?
Considerably disconcerting, however not disagreeable.

Which residing individual do you most despise, and why?
Too many to single out, however nearly solely inhabiting the realms of politics and the clergy.

Which phrases or phrases do you most overuse?
FFS!

What has been your greatest disappointment?
My native Tesco stopping stocking Häagen-Dazs Peanut Butter Crunch.

When did you final cry, and why?
Final week – A303 eastbound carriageway closures.

What single factor would enhance the standard of your life?
A ban on music in eating places.

What retains you awake at evening?
Indigestion.

Would you reasonably have extra intercourse, cash or fame?
I’ve about as a lot of every as I would fairly ask for.

How would you wish to be remembered?
I don’t suppose I care.

What’s an important lesson life has taught you?
That additional classes await.