Hello, John, and welcome to BWW:UK. You're a very busy man and we've got lots to talk about, so let's make a list first!
Yes, OK! In particular and most importantly is La Cage, and then while I'm in La Cage, I'm also releasing my second book, which is not an autobiography, it's more memoirs over the last three years, and also a reflection on letters and things that have been sent to me by people and the questions they've asked regarding the first book, regarding my opinions on stuff, so it's my insight into things. And then in November the DVD of my concert tour comes out, so that's something to
look forward to. I'll start recording my new album for release on Mothers' Day next year, and that begins recording while I'm still doing the show.
I talked to Daniel Boys a few weeks ago and he said what an amazing time he'd had on your tour, where he supported you. I take it you enjoyed it as well!
I loved doing the tour because it's a time for me to be able to go out on the road and connect with the people who are supporting me in all aspects, because my audience ranges from young kids to teenagers all the way through to nans, poppas and grandmas. So it's a way for me to connect. And I have fun because I let them into my life and my world even more, more so than anything you see on television. It's completely different than when I'm on a talk show. I have family pictures that come up, and I really give them a special night. I think. I hope!
You write your books with your sister, is that right?
What I actually do is I dictate the stories and tell all the facts. I basically do it all into an iPod, and then I send her the files. She then takes that voice and puts it into word form. For some reason she's able to do it, she captures my voice incredibly. She picks it up and gets my rhythm and everything right. Each book we've done, she's lived with me and Scott for three and a half months. She goes to all my meetings, all my rehearsals, all my shows - everything I do during that time, she lives that with me, so she understands how my life is. She's not a ghost writer. It's with my sister rather than being a ghost writer - she doesn't do it without me giving her any information.
That must be nice for you, because I imagine you can't get to see your family as much as you'd like.
Even though I'm so busy, I'm not unrealistic. I make time for my family. As I've said before, family is extremely important to me. In this current book, what I do is take the phrase "family values" back from all those conservative jerks, people who are looking at my life and other people I know as being wrong. I do have family values, they're just not exactly the same as everybody else's. That's what makes a family unique. I see my parents every three months, and they're coming back over for La Cage. They're coming over in November, I think it is. My best friend and her husband are coming over, my friends from the States, so I do get to see my close friends and myfamily quite often.
Your parents had a starring role in the documentary you did - they seem lovely!
My parents are great! In fact, we were just talking with a TV company about doing a TV show involving the entire Barrowman family.
Like the Osbournes?
Yeah! [realises what he's said, laughs] Well, hopefully not! Yeah. We said no. I like them having their anonymity.
Are you entirely relocated to London for the run in La Cage?
No, no, we have a house in London. We've never given up our house here, but we also have a house in Wales. It depends. Now, I'm here for most of the week so we go back for the weekend in Wales. When I'm filming Doctor Who or Torchwood, I'm in Wales so we come back here for the weekend.
And is your QVC addiction still going on?
Yes, it is! I don't know if it's so much a QVC addiction so much as I just love certain products on QVC. I'll rattle them off to you. I love Northern Nights bedding. LOVE that. I absolutely love Cooks' Essentials for the kitchen. I think that's absolutely brilliant. And also Joan Rivers jewellery, because I buy it for my mother. She thinks it's incredible. Also Butler and Wilson - listen, if you want really good jewellery and watches, do the Butler and Wilson on QVC. I've called in to QVC and been on the air, when they've been doing shows on products that I like. It's hysterical you say that. Actually, I'll show you this RIGHT NOW and you will LAUGH. [He gets up and begins trawling through his rehearsal bag and eventually produces a wallet, which he opens, and then brandishes a small plastic card.] Tell them what it is.
