www.solosteps.com
H & Claire Interviews 2












Home

News | Photos | Media | Music | Facts | Interactive | Insider | SM:tv | Site Info































































 
Read all about H & Claire in our various interviews with the poptastic pair.
 
Contents:
Interview 1: H - 'I Thought I Was Having A Nervous Break Down'.
Interview 2: H Answers Back. (Audio Interview)
Interview 3: Vet Needs Practice.
Interview 4: Destiny's Children
Interview 5: H - 'I Don't Want To Grow Up'.
Interview 6: H & Claire's Dodgy Dilemas. (Video Interview)
Interview 7: Shocking Revelations
Interview 8: Dotmuisc Chat Transcript
Interview 9: Top Of The Pops Lottery
Interview 10: Half An Hour With H
 
 
 
Interview 1: H - 'I Thought I was Having A Nervous Break Down'.
 
"As a child, I was hyperactive and my mother tried everything to calm me down. She even banned me from drinking coke and fizzy drinks, but nothing worked. I've never really slept well and my sleeping - or lack of it - got really bad by the time I was 18, and then just carried on getting worse.
You know what it's like when you get up early and feel shit all day? Well imagine feeling like that every day for eight years!
When I was younger I was out partying all the time anyway, and I could survive on one or two hours of sleep a night. If I'd got a nine to five job, where I went to bed and got up at the same time everyday I'd probably have been alright - but then I joined Steps.
It was crazy sometimes I'd be getting to bed at three in the morning and yet still have to get up two hours later! There was one particularly bad time, about four years ago, when Steps were quite new. Wr'd visited Japan and flown straight on to Australia, so I'd been through three different time zones and just couldn't sleep at all.
I'm normall good under pressure and I can cope for three nights without any sleep at all. But in Australia  my body just coukdn't handle any more and I collapsed.
As soon as we arrived I began to feel sick and dizzy. We were meant to be doing promotional work but I just couldn't stop crying. I thought I was having a nervous break down, it was that bad. I nearly walked out of Steps at that point. My body was shouting, crying out and I just couldn't deal with it. I don't know what I'd have done if it had carried on - it was torture.
Since then I've tried so many different things to help me to sleep. I've had sessions at The Priory, I've tried hypnosis and acupuncture and I've even been to a sleep labaroratory where they wired me up overnight, put electrodes on me and superglued all these sensors to my head!
I flew to all the best doctors and sleep labs in the country but they'd just give me tablets and tell me I needed top learn to relax. But, after that awful trip to Australia, one actually referred me to a meditation clinic, and that really helped me for a while.
It taught me how to quiten my mind and let go of everything around me. I learnt mantra meditation where you have to keep repeating a phrase in your head. It sound really airy fairy, but I would recommend it to anyone. I still meditate three or four times a week wheneve I have the time.
There are lots of different sleep conditions that people suffer from like narcolepsy or insomia. I was worried I actually had insomnia, where your body actually forgets how to sleep, but in fact I've got a condition called Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, where your body just doesn't know when it's stime to rest. And cos I travel through so many time zones, my body never even knows what time it is let alone when it's time to catch a snooze - it's really weird.
The whole thing is a vicious circle - more wound up I get about not sleeping the worse it is. I used to be really frustated that I didn't kno why it was happening, but now I've learned to accept it. Yeah I feel crap for most of the day, but there's no point in whingeing about it, you've got to try and be positive. The people around me know when I haven't slept and if I can get five solid hours of sleep, I'm fantastic all the next day. But I'd trade everything I have today - the money, the fame, the career - for sleep. I'm serious! If someone told me from tomorrow that I'd be able to sleep normally I'd give it all up straight away it really means that much to me."
 
 
 
Interview 2: H Answers Back. (Audio Interview)
You sent in your questions for H and Claire, but unfortunately Claire was ill and couldn't make it on the day. So H was left to fly solo, but we can guarantee you won't be disappointed. He proved that he's still one of the funniest and most charming pop stars around. He also dealt with a couple of tough cookies like the trooper he is.
Click the buttons to hear the answers, and there's a few personal messages for those that were lucky enough to have the questions selected by the H himself.

Are you going to keep the Steps style going or make a change? Francesca Mottola
send to a friend
What will the album sound like? Richard from Walsall
send to a friend
Your single's 'Hey DJ', but who is your favourite DJ? Libby from Beaconsfield
send to a friend
How's it going at SMTV? Allison Kershaw
send to a friend
Who were your pop idols when you were younger? Vicky from Salford
send to a friend
What are you most afraid of? Jade Poolman
send to a friend
Do you ever think 'what am I wearing'? Roxanne Cullen
send to a friend
Do you want to move to Miami, were waiting for ya? Monika
send to a friend
What are your fave and least fave Steps vids? Ceri from Wales
send to a friend
Do you remember my 'I Love H' banner? from Cheryl Christensen
send to a friend
How do you feel about the chart battle with Faye? Claire Rogerson
send to a friend
Do you miss singing and fiilming vids without the other Steps members? Marguerite from Cork
send to a friend

Interview 3: Vet Needs Practice.

He's cute, he has twinkly eyes, a nice shiny coat and a wet nose - and that's just H! Welcome to the pop veterinary surgery, Dr H will see you now.

Wanna tell us what this about then H?   

Well, I've always loved animals. I was mad about them when I was younger and I always fancied being a vet. But I failed biology so that out the brakes on that one pretty quickly! You need to be really clever to be a vet and although I did well in nearly all my exams, typical H, I failed the one I needed to pass!  

You must have a way with animals though, seeing as you like them so much.

I suppose so. My brother and I were bonkers for them when we were little and the pair of us were forever bringing little foundlings home. It wasn't strange to come home to find our bath full of frogs, ha ha!

And can you talk to the animals like Dr Doolittle?

Well, my cats sort of speak to me. They go mew mew and I know when they want something. I can't actually talk to my cats, but they definately know if I'm feeling ill or something because they come up and give me a cuddle and press up against me. They're going 'Oh it's ok H we'll look after you!'

Have you ever had an animal poo or wee on you?

I once slept on my friend's floor when I was younger and she's got lot's of cats. I woke up in the middle of the night to find this warm patch on me! This cat called Phooey - named after the cartoon character Hong Kong Phooey - hadd weed on me. Apparently it's a sign of affection!

Is there anything worse than the smell of a dog fart?

Yes cat pee and I should know. Oh and claire's farts ha ha! You know when people's farts have a certain smell? Well I know how Claire's farts smell and they're rancid! Me and Mark, Claire's  fiance, had a discussion about this the other day and we agreed she does silent but deadly ones!

Do you think that you'd be able to put pets to sleep?

Oh no not all! My last doggy was about 14 when he gave in, bless him. I couldn't go to the vet with him to see him go.

How much do you think you should be paid for job as a vet?

I think people who do jobs like that don't get enough money. What I do in pop is really superficial compared to what doctors, nurses and vets do - they should get millions a year!

                                      
Interview 4: Destiny's Children

What does the future hold for H & Claire? We found out with the help of some psychic friends...
Ring Of Truth.
Psycometery is the practice of divining facts about a person from physical contact with their possessions, and Alice Barratt is a master of this art. Today she's going to tell us all about H & Claire just by groping their jewellery. H hands over a bracelet his Grandma gave him on his 21st birthday and Claire provides a diamond ring.
Alice goes into a trance as she holds the bracelet and ring.
"I've got a country where your ancestors are from...a horse and cart that might have been used for going places. There's a Welsh connection."
"I'm from Wales!" says the famously Welsh H.
"There's an old lady, a grandmother - she has a hat that's very important to her, she wouldn't gou out without it. There's also something silver she wore all the time, maybe around her neck..."
H sits up and looks intrigued. Claire just looks bored. "There's a green door, this is symbolic. I'm told about a diamond ring, someone wears rings." As Alice returns to earth H is impressed.
Alice seems to have touched on H's past. "My Gran used to have this hat that she always wore to church and she had a silver brooch!"
"Nothing in the reading bore any relevance to me," says Claire "Apart from the fact that there was someone who wear rings - that'll be me, look!" she says showing her bejewelled fingers.
Conclusion: H and Claire must do a cover version of Shaking Steven's 'Green Door' or they''ll be forced to swap their limo for a horse and cart and their jewellery for a nice hat!


Crystal Clear

Peering at H through the crystal ball is spiritualist healer Graham Dare. In the ball he sees many weird and wonderful sights. "I can see a lot of green," he says. "This is a very positive thing - it signifies your career is moving forward. But you should also take the opportunity to get some rest while you can - you're doing far too much at the moment."
"I sense you holding on to the unconditional love of someone," he says. "The unconditional love that you get from a pet. And maybe it's something you need to let go of. I also sense your late Grandmother is very important to you - and you should know that she's with you all the time."
Nodding softly H seems genuinely touched at this point. Graham continues by revealing that H lost some sort of support in 1977. "That was when my brother was born so I guess that's when I had to start sharing my parents love"  shrugs H. But when Graham finishes with the news that the number 68 is very significant H is puzzled.
"What he said about my ran is very comforting," says H afterwards. "I knew she was there with me sometimes but to hear someone else tell you is really lovely. And it's weird that he mentioned a pet over the last couple of days I've been thinking about the dog I grew up with, Ben. He also said that me and Claire would only last two years as a duo but I'm confident we'll be around a lot longer that."
Conclusion: H is a good boy who loves his dog and his Gran. His career is steaming forward but he needs to get over the jealousy thing with his brother. H says "A lot of things in life should be taken with a pinch of salt and some with a bucket of salt. But this was big comfort."

Pick A Card
Finally it's time for Claire to have a tarot card reading. Having asked Claire to reshuffle the cards so that they can 'receive her energy' Elizabeth - our softly spoken tarot reader - lays them across the table in front of Claire.
Julie is able to tell that Claire is moving on and away from stormy waters in her career. It's a good and positive change and Claire will continue to flourish, but like H she needs more rest.
Julie tells Claire that she is financially secure and has a strong and loving partner in her life, but when Claire asks Julie about her family Julie hesitates and says that she doesn't have time to read into them "There are no problems in the family though, just a little fluctuation - someone frazzled by the weight of ambition, maybe someone overseas, There may be a birth in the family too."
Lastly Claire is told that there was someone underhand like a 'thief in the night' in her lfe but that's all in the past. Could this be something to do with Steps we wonder?
So has Claire felt any spiritual movement? She certainly seems serene. "I'm still a bit sceptical cos it was quite general but it was quite nice to know and a couple of things about my family made sense."
Conclusion: Claire's a successful pop star with a loving partner. But we kinda knew that anyway. Claire says "I'll be informing my management that I've been told to take more holidays - long hot ones!

Interview 5: H - 'I Don't Want To Grow Up'.
 
H and his ex-Steps buddy Claire have been working hard to make their new duo a success since splitting from the band.  Perky popstar H spills the beans to CBBC Newsround Online's Leigh Mytton on his new single, working with Claire, and trying not to be cool!

Tell us about your new single Half A Heart

It's a bit different to what our fans are used to. It's very laid back, but it's still a pop song and we are still pop singers.
There's no point in trying to be cool - actually, I don't want to be cool - cool is really boring. When people try to be cooler than they are, it doesn't work. We are going to carry on doing what we do and, if people like it, that's great.

What's the song about?

Someone who is torn in a love situation and who doesn't know where to turn - it's not from personal experience (laughs). The person is stuck in the middle of two people.

Do you think it can match the top three success of your debut single DJ?

I hope so. We are going through that transition period - we are having to grow up, but we don't want to!

How's the work going on your album?

We have done about half of it. It's a lot less synthesised - they are real songs. Some of the writers are the best in the world.
We have had songs written for us that Anastacia and Celine Dion have heard and the writers have said: "No, H & Claire have got them."
We're also done a beautiful love song with Daniel Bedingfield. He's such a talented guy - what a voice!

Are you planning to go on tour?

We have been doing the summer roadshows, but we cannot do a tour until we have a number of hits under our belt. We've pencilled in a tour for next year.

Has everything settled down following the Steps split at Christmas?

As far as we were concerned, there was no fall-out and everything was fine. It some ways it's harder now, because there's less of us to share the work out, but it's ten times easier in that Claire and I have got the same vision.
We like the same music and we are both heading in the same direction.

How strong is your friendship with Claire?

Claire and I could have said goodbye to each other at Christmas. We make sure we take time out and realise why we are doing this - it's because we are really good friends.

How are you enjoying being presenters on SM:tv?

If we weren't presenting, we would be in the studio every other week. It gets across a side of our personalities that not many people have seen before.
It's hard work, but the team are fantastic. I think you can really tell when people get on on-screen. Our motto is "there's no I in team" and it works well.

What part of the show do you enjoy the most?

I love getting my teeth into the sketches. It's an excuse to dress up and be a kid again. The writers are brilliant.

Do you ever get to relax?

I have just had three days off because I haven't got a day off for the rest of the month.
I have caught up, chilled out and eaten loads of chocolate. I don't get to go back to Wales very often, but my parents and grandparents have just been down to see me.

 
 
Int 6: H & Claire's Dodgy Dilemas (Video Interview)
 
We grabbed the chance to film an exclusive interview with H And Claire. We didn't chance to get your burning questions in, but trust us - you'll still want to email these clips to other fans. We gave them a sequence of tricky dilemmas and they had to decide which one of them should take on the challenge. Just one small problem, the interviewer couldn't stop having a chuckle at their increasingly bizarre answers. Hopefully you'll be too busy enjoying their answers to even notice.


 


A fashion designer needs a model - which one of you would glide down the cat walk?
send to a friend
A magazine needs a new agony aunt - who should step in and dish out the advice
send to a friend
My decorator has let me down - who should I ask to pick up the paint brush?
send to a friend
I've got £100 to spend in the summer sales - who would help me get the best bargains?
send to a friend
My mate was going to come to a rock festival with me, but he's pulled out - which one of you would rescue me?
send to a friend
I've got a spare ticket for my hiking holiday - who would be packing their bags?
send to a friend
It's my maths exam tomorrow - which one of you would help me pass with flying colours?
send to a friend
Your stylist isn't at the photo shoot - wich one of you would decide what to wear?
send to a friend
I'm trying to cook you both dinner, but it's a bit of a disaster - who would come to my rescue?
send to a friend
One of Kylie's dancers has sprained their ankle - who would step in and save the day?
send to a friend
Will and Gareth and fallen out and Mr Young needs someone else to duet with him - who would grab the mic?
send to a friend
I'm too shy to approach the person I fancy - which one of you would get me a date?
send to a friend

Interview 7: Shocking Revelations

H & Claire fans got together and asked the questions they really wanted to know like do they miss their old Steps mates and does H have a secret crush on his gorgeous duet partner...

What's it like working with 'H'? Surely he can't be hyper all the time - does he ever chill out.


Claire: It's great working with H, when you need cheering up he's always there for me.

Have you got your 6 pack yet H?

H: I wish!! I'm still working on it!!

What is the WORST txt message H sent you ( or clara sent you ) and what did it say?

Claire: Probably a dirty joke that's not printable!

What happened to the tracks H wrote with Gary Barlow? I'm a big fan of Gary's and remember H saying that he was holding off on the material for future use. Is anything turning up as b-sides or on the new album?

H: Funny you should say that!! Watch this space...

Hi 2 the greatest man in pop! The girls would argue that you've got the body 4 it. So what action hero from what film would u be and why???

H: The naked invisible man!! Ha!!

I have seen you live in all 3 groups TSD, Steps, and H and Claire, my personal favourite is H & Claire. Which is yours??

Claire: H & Claire! Although the others were a lot of fun at the time.

H, r u and Claire going out with each other and if not do u fancy her?

H: No & No!!


Are you optimistic about the forthcoming release of 'Half a Heart'? I think your voice sounds really sexy..

Claire: Yes, optimistic 'cause it's a new direction forward for us.

 H would you consider dating a 35 year old woman with 6 kids and a grandchild or what is your limit both sides younger or elder?

H: Any offers welcome!!

How did the pair of you get into the industry and did you always want to be singers?

H: We have both worked very hard. We didn't go to drama schools, we decided to get experience working instead!

Did you have a secret "Claire's place" that you used to go when you were a kid?

Claire: Yeah, I always used to go to the airing cupboard in my mum and dad's bedroom.

Will there be any suprise collaborations with any of the old Steps gang in the future?

H: Never say never, but we are very happy doing what we're doing at the moment.


What I want to know is how you get all that work done along with working on SM:tv? There must be a lot work involved with promoting your singles along with doing an amazing show on Saturday mornings. When do you get to have a break?

H: It's hard work but we really enjoy what we do. SM:tv is such a good laugh. As long as we have a day off now and again I'm fine!

Who out of the other three stepsters do you miss the most and Do you ever have a sneaky moment in the recording studios, or on the video shoots or even during live performances where you say to yourself God, I wish the others were here?

Claire: My best friend in STEPS was always H so I'm lucky to have him with me all the time.

 

Interview 8: Dotmusic Chat Transcript


 dotmusic: H and Claire are in dotmusic Towers and ready to take your questions. Fire away...

 Lynn Couper from Edinburgh asks: Hiya H & Claire i'd just like to say congratulations to claire on her engagment to mark. My question is now there is just the 2 of u will you's be doing a tour in Glasgow, will i find out your answer my email adress is lyndtloo@fsmail.net

 Claire: Thanks. Not this year, but hopefully next year we'll be doing a tour

 H: But we would love to come to Glasgow

 H: Glasgow is great for shopping!

 Gemma from Bristol asks: Hi H and Claire! When can we expect your first album as a duo?

 Claire: The album's set to be released in November

 Claire: Don't know what date

 H: There's going to be a single just before and then the album will follow

 Eric Leonardi from Indonesia asks: What was you guys both most unforgettable touching moments while in STEPS?

 H: I think on the gold tour for me, that was great. When we did the bridge across the audience.

 Claire: When we won our Brit award probably

 H: And when we went to Oman to perform for the troops, that was good

 Steph from leicester asks: H, i suffer from a sleep disorder and i was just wondering - what do you do when you cant sleep??

 H: I've tried everything, and everyone's different but what works for me is a herb called valerian

 Emma Norris your biggest fan from Bolton asks: I think your brilliant and you are my idol.My bedroom is a shrine.Who was your idol when you were my age?(11)

 Claire: My idol was Caren Carpenter

 H: My idol's were Five Star and we did a roadshow with them recently and I had a starstruck moment - Doris waved at me!

 Jenny Root from Goole asks: Claire - Good Luck for your wedding. I get married in two weeks. What will your first dance together be?

 Claire: I haven't even got that far I'm afraid. I don't know, I really don't know. Any suggestions are welcome!

 Laura Wright from England, york asks: What has been ur favourite Sketch on SM:TV live?

 Claire: I love Footballer's Wives

 H: I love Dr Hollywood cos they put stupid teeth in and stupid wigs on

 Loes from The Netherlands asks: How do you feel about the Steps split about?

 H: I think the wound is healing now. We're still not the friends we'd like to be, but things are settling down

 Mario Valerio from Bedford asks: If you couldn't be popstars what would you be

 Claire: I would be a stylist so I could go and buy loads of clothes with other peoples money. I'd only take clients who were the same size as me!

 H: I always wanted to be a vet when I was a kid, but I failed biology so....

 Jack from Monmouth asks: Who did you want to win Pop Idol?

 H: I watched the earlier stages, I didn't watch the later stages. I liked it when everybody was really bad! That YMCA girl was brilliant.

 Jennifer Vaughan from Dumfries asks: When is your album coming out and what kind of songs are going to be on it?

 Claire: There's lots of ballads, pretty much what we've released really. The same kind of vibe as Heart to Heart, more than DJ

 odette buston from harlow, essex asks: h do u think age matters in a realationship?

 H: No! Not at all. It shouldn't really, should it. As long as you're compatible

 Claire: Age ain't nothing but a number

 Sara from Bracknell asks: Can you confirm that you are covering a song written by Benny and Bjorn of ABBA?

 H: well we're not covering it, its a song Benny and Bjorn were going to put on their next album, but they've reworked it for us

 H: It's been rewritten, so it's not been used before

 cherry from denham asks: r you really typing your answers or is some1 doin it 4 u he he

 H: But I trueeeeely aaam!

 amira from detroit usa asks: How do you feel about the allSTARS performing a steps song on stars in you eyes?

 Claire: It's good, it's quite flattering

 H: They're really nice guys

 Alex Mills from Bristol asks: what was your first record you ever bought

 Claire: Mine was Into the Groove by Madonna

 H: Mine was Never Going to Give You Up by the god that is RIck Astley

 Greg from Prince George Bc, Canada asks: What kind of music do you enjoy.....do you listen to people like Pink and Shakira(your music is the best)

 Claire: I hate Shakira, but she did a really good impression of us on TV!

 Claire: I listen to things like Ashanti and Nelly

 H: I've just bought the Mamas and the Papas greatest hits. Its brilliant! It's such a good summer record

 Jenny Root from Goole asks: H - Have you ever thought of singing on the west end. I think you would be great.

 H: You know ever since I was a kid, that's what I wanted to do. Maybe in the future, but not yet.

 Lauryn from Liverpool asks: what people would you like to colaborate with

 Claire: I don't know, it's really hard

 H: Anastasia would be cool

 Claire: Darren Hayes

 Alexa from Russia asks: What's your fave country and city?

 Claire: I love Miami in America and New York

 Claire: Apart from that, Rome's my favourite place

 H: I liked Sweden, that was nice. I liked Venice too, we went through the canals on a boat. It was very nice

 H: ... And Wales is very nice too!

 devilyouknow from Toronto, Canada asks: Do you feel the need to break other markets outside of the UK to establish yourself as a duo? We'd love to see you in Canada!

 Claire: It's one of our priorities this time round, to break into different markets. More so than we did for Steps

 H: Toronto is lovely. I went there when I was a kid.

 Lauryn from Liverpool asks: who is your favourite artist at the moment

 Claire: I really like Ashanti at the moment. She's great. Stupid name though!

 H: I like Darren Hayes. I've got his album. Like him a lot

 david from london asks: what gave you the inspiration for the songs that you wrote?

 H: Songs don't necessarily have to come from a personal experience, they can come from an idea. We worked with brilliant song writers, so they know what they're doing

 Emma Norris your biggest fan from Bolton asks: Who do you like better?Hear'Say,or Liberty X?

 Claire: Liberty X

 H: Liberty X. Out of everyone we've interviewed on TV, Liberty X are the nicest.

 H: They've really worked hard for their chart position. In Steps we never had instantaneous success, we had to work for it

 Richard from Lichfield asks: Great singles got both on saturday

 H: Thank you!

 Cimi Scooper from Scoop Central asks: do you ever get tired after all the promotion? i can hardly catch up with what programmes you're both on! lots of love, Cimi xxxxxxxxxx

 Claire: Promotion is the hardest part of our job, because the 3 minutes you see us on TV for, we've probably been there for 5 hours

 Claire: But every TV show is different, so you can't get too sick of it

 H: A lot of the shows we do are great fun, so it's not really that tiring

 Alan Guest from Stourbridge asks: What's the worst thing about being famous, apart from the lack of privacy?

 Claire: Probably just lack of sleep!

 H: When you've got a cold, you can't call in sick!

 mark j from london asks: if u could be a animal what would you be ?

 H: A skunk

 Claire: yeah... cos he stinks!

 Claire: I would be a lioness. I would be a lion, I'm a leo and I do have characteristics of a lazy lion

 Robina Noor from U.S.A. asks: Hey Claire, is H still very much hyperactive?

 Claire: Not every day, but he does have his hyperactive days, which are the days I try to keep out of his way

 H: When I'm tired that's when I go loopy. Or if I've had too much coffee

 Claire: Or too many sweets!

 amy from bristol asks: claire i am so hapy for you and mark. have you got a rough idea for the wedding is ??

 Claire: It will be next summer, but I haven't organised anything or booked a single thing yet. I really need to get my arse into gear!

 amy from bristol asks: h and claire what is your favourite shop and why ??

 Claire: Dolce and Gabbana. The clothes in there are wicked!

 H: Yeah, we both like D & G

 melanie elsworthy from somerset asks: i live in minehead, h, would u ever come back to butlins as a redcoat?

 Claire: We went back to Minehead a couple of years ago!

 H: It's not confirmed yet, but I think we're coming to do the Smash Hits Roadshow in Minehead, so see you soon!

 hannah merry from east sussex asks: Claire how do u feel being a role model 4 so many girls because u r my role model and i think ur the best also good luck with ur fiance u r so lucky he is gorgeous

 Claire: I guess it's flattering that people consider me to be a role model. Hopefully it's for the right reasons. Also, your parents should be up there in your role models I think

 Claire: And thank you very much, Mark is gorgeous and I am very lucky

 Gita from Indonesia asks: Hello Claire, happy earlier b'day, I want 2 ask u, did u always make ur own improvitation part in a song or was it the producer/writer decision?

 Claire: A bit of both really. Sometimes it was the producer who had suggestions, but other times they just play the song and let you do what you like

 sarah from boston asks: are you doing anything special for your birthday claire??

 H: Watch SM:TV cos she doesn't know what's going to happen!

 Claire: I'm just going to have a little get together with my friends and family

 Greg from Prince George Bc, Canada asks: so what was your MOST embarassing moment well performing or being in front of a whole bunch of peeps????????

 H: I remember when we did the soap awards. I'd had too many champagnes before we went on. We had to present an award and read this card

 Claire: He read out the nominations and one of them was from Coronation Street and H announced "Conoration Street"

 H: I then couldn't pronounce the winner!

 Mel from Dallas, Texas asks: How are your fans are they different from Steps?

 H: We've got a lot of new fans come on board. We log onto the website and there's a lot of new names and faces which is great

 H: We've got all our old ones as well

 Lover Boy from H & Claire World asks: H, What was it like working with Gary Barlow and the world's sexiest woman - Claire?

 H: Claire's taken, hands off! Gary's great. A really nice guy and great to work with

 Iloveclara from plymouth asks: can u tell us anything about your next single?...PLEASE !!!

 H: No because we don't know yet!

 H: We're recording new tracks next week and the week after, so we'll be deciding in the next few weeks

 sarah from boston asks: Are you enjoying presenting sm:tv??

 Claire: SM:TV is great fun. We just get to act like a pair of idiots which we're quite good at

 H: The bad part is having to get up early!

 Claire: I have to get up at about 5am! By the time Saturday night comes, we're totally knackered!

 John Murray from Glasgow asks: If you had 3 wishes and you could wish for anything what would they be?

 Claire: I'd wish for a 90% discount at Dolce and Gabbana

 H: A transporter, so we don't have to spend the rest of the week travelling

 Claire: A long and successful career

 Ethel from Latvia asks: what is the funniest rumour u hav eva heard bout ur self???

 Claire: That I was in love with Lee!

 Claire: And that I was pregnant as well. That was a bit silly

 Izy from London asks: H do you plan to do any film acting?

 H: No! (looks horrified) I'm so not an actor. I like doing comedy stuff. I'm not interested in film. Not on camera, no. Stick to what you're good at

 Emma Short age 20 from Weymouth, Dorset asks: What question would you like to ask a fan??

 H: How do you know our schedule before we do???

 Sarah from Nottingham asks: Do you get loads of freebies?

 Claire: Not really, we never really get loads of stuff. I got sent a bottle of Tia Lusso once. It's like a milky liqueur. I haven't tried it yet

 H: That's a showbiz myth that you get loads of freebies

 H: We get lots of invitations to things, which is nice

 Claire: And a lot of crap ones!

 H: The trick is to be selective

 EDWIN from Leicester asks: This question is H if you could choose to be anyone apart from ur funny self for one day who would it be and why?

 H: Anna Nicole-Smith!

 H: I quite like that Ozzy Osbourne too. He's bonkers!

 dotmusic: H and Claire have unfortunately got to go soon. They've got time for just one more question....

 amy 14 - the bigges h and claire fan of all from bristol asks: whats been the best perforamce since being a duo

 Claire: We went on CD:UK on Saturday. That was really cool. Lots of dancers and stuff

 H: That Mardi Gras was really good too. The one in Hackney Marshes.

 dotmusic: H and Claire say thank you very much for your support and they hope to see much more of you over the next few months. And their top tip is "don't eat yellow snow"!

Interview 9: Top Of The Pops Lottery


Didn't you think that DJ sounded just like S Club's Don't Stop Moving?

H: Does it? Your the first person to say that actually! I think it sounds more like a Donna Summer song. But Don't Stop Moving is great so I don't mind!

Claire: (obviously a bit narked!) I've never thought about it to be honest!

Have you stopped speaking to Lee, Lisa and Faye?

Claire: No, not at all. We had quite a long break after the band split, when we stopped speaking to each other because we needed a break. I saw Lee on New Year's Eve and we had a little chat. Even when we were together, we would deliberately not meet up in our time off, so that when did we had loads of stuff to talk about.

H: I actually texted Lisa this morning and she got back to me. I think people want to believe there's this big story behind the split but there's not. It was amicable and I'm sure when everything dies down we'll all meet up for a drink.

Weren't you scared about coming back as a duo?

H: It was weird cos you sort of expect one of the others to walk into the room and start chatting. Making our video in Miami was when I noticed it the most cos we got things done much quicker!

Claire: It's going off into the unknown again. I avoid getting nervous by not getting excited about stuff incase it all goes wrong.

How scared are you of bad reactions by Steps fans?

Claire: It worries me because we were portrayed as the bad guys, which isn't strictly fair. I think other people were trying to cover their own backs. Hopefully true fans will enjoy our music. It's not like we've gone in the opposite direction.

Do you ever want to go solo?

Claire: Yeah, one day, but not for a long time yet! For now I've managed to get lumbered with H! It would be great to be the next Celine Dion though.

H: Claire and I got together because we didn't feel ready to go it alone. We're on the next rung of the ladder now and the more I'm asked the more I feel I might try it alone in the future. I'll ditch you soon Claire!

When will hear the sound of wedding bells?
Claire: I don't know? I want the traditional thing. A white wedding and then loads of kids. I always said I'd be married by the time I'm 25 - ran out of time there!
H: I've got to find someone first - I'll get back to you on that one!

 

Interview 10: Half An Hour With H

As H & Claire prepare to release their new single Half A Heart, we chat to H about the Steps days, Abba, SM:TV, Big Brother, Claires annoying habits and more

Whats the new single Half A Heart about?

Basically its about someone whos torn and they dont really know which way to turn. They dont really know whether to stay or go which is not something I can really relate to but hey, there you go!

The videos very futuristic

Yeah its kind of like a giant, metallic Rubiks Cube. We actually managed to get the filming done in a day and usually when we do a video we start at five o clock in the morning and we film until five the next morning but because theres now less of us to get ready its a quicker process. Its still a long, long day but it was really good fun to make.

Is the new album finished yet?

Were right in the middle of it at the moment. Weve been flying back and forth to Sweden and America and the producers have been flying to us. Because weve been doing SM:TV our week is very short so we squeeze everything into three days. Weve done about five or six tracks now.

Who have you been working with on it?

Weve recorded with Daniel Bedingfield whos written us a track and he was nuts! Hes a really, really lovely guy but not on this planet and I thought I was bonkers! What a talent though, hes just phenomenal. Hes really humble, very down-to-earth, but completely bonkers! Were also off to Sweden to record one of the Abba tracks that theyve written for us. Benny and Bjorn (of Abba) actually suggested it to myself and Claire, which was just unbelievable, and this is the first stuff theyve written for other people since Abba split up.

What do you think are the biggest differences between being in a group to a duo?

I think theres just more direction. Before there were five people deciding which way to go and what the future held, but myself and Claire have the same musical direction and know where were going now so theres no struggle.

What do you and Claire argue about?

Stupid things. Claire is always up first in the morning because shes a girl and she takes three times as long as a bloke to get ready.

Is that her most annoying habit then?

Oh God no! Claires most annoying habit is that shes always got to be right! And her answer to that is well, I am!

Do you spend time together when youre not working or are you sick of the sight of each other by the time you get some free time?

We actually make a point in our schedule to go out for a drink or whatever. We remind ourselves why were actually doing this, which is because we do actually like each other. We could have said goodbye to each other at Christmas but because were such good friends and the bond is really strong thats why we carried on.
 
What do you miss most about the Steps days?

Definitely touring. Its a little premature because to tour you need a lot of songs and weve done a lot of roadshows this year but we have pencilled in a tour for next year which is exciting.

You work with last years winner of Big Brother Brian Dowling on SM:TV, so have you been watching this years Big Brother?

Ive actually never watched any of Big Brother. Why people would want to sit and watch this brainless programme is beyond me. Just get out and do something read a book or something a little more mentally stimulating!

Are you going to continue with SM:TV as well as the music?

Well weve been asked to stay on for another year but it is very hard to juggle both so weve said that well stay until Christmas and then review the situation but ultimately I think thats what wed like to do combine the TV presenting and the pop.

Do you prefer one more than the other?

I think ultimately our music will always be our first priority but its nice to have your fingers in different pies so to speak.

Whats the most embarrassing thing thats happened to you on the show so far?

Well there was one stupid interview with Jonathan Lipnicki from the movie Jerry Maguire and I asked him what his favourite film was and he replied apples, oranges and bananas. After the interview was over I was like what the hell was all that about? and thought well, Ive never seen that movie! But of course he thought Id asked him what was his favourite fruit!

Finally, in true SM:TV style we thought we put you through the Strip Search, so here goes

Westlife or Blue? Blue

Cinema or clubbing? Both

Body or brains? Brains definitely.

Denim or leather? Denim

AM or PM? PM

Britney or Kylie? Britney

Summer or Winter? Summer

Pizza or Sushi? Sushi

Gareth or Will? Do I have to choose? Neither of them!