Top of the Pops (UK) "Under The Grill"
Interview Transcript
December, 2002

link to TOTP's page with the interview

TOTP: Fresh from his TOTP fansite award victory we whisked Darren off to mull over the merits of mulled wine and all things Christmas... ...but it wasn't long before we found ourselves stuck in schmaltz-slick city, bleurgh! Someone pass the bucket quick!

TOTP: How did you feel about the fansite dedicated to you winning the TOTP Award?
Darren: I was thrilled...I almost pee'd my pants! I really do have some of the best and most loyal fans in the world. From the beginning of my career they've always had a strong presence on the internet. This particular site was by a fan called Maggz and her partner, so I owe them and all the other fans that voted for it a really big thank you. The site's great, but I have to say a lot fans get disappointed because they think I'm a big lurker on the net. I have to admit that I'm so technically daft! A few year's ago I used to visit the site a bit more often, but it's a bit like sniffing your own undies really... I am really proud and very honoured though.

TOTP: So what you doing for Christmas and New Year?
Darren: You know, I'm having the quietest New Year this year. I've been on the road for the last two years and this will be the first time ever that I'm not going home back to Australia for Christmas and New Year. I live in the States at the moment, so that's where I'll be with a few friends over a small dinner....and I'll sleep forever.

TOTP: OK, so let's get down to what's really important about Christmas...food!
Tell us whether you love 'em or hate 'em...

TOTP: Sprouts
Darren: Oh...I hate 'em, because my parents used to force me to eat them. They're like evil mini cabbages!

TOTP: Dates
Darren: Well, the kind that means you get a kiss at the end of it is a good kind of a date. But the kind that makes you go to the toilet a lot is bad.

TOTP: Cranberry Sauce
Darren: LOVE Cranberry Sauce...with turkey that is.

TOTP: Bread Sauce
Darren: Mmmm...yeah! I'm a big carbohydrate fan you know, so if you cook some nice bread, I'll dip it into anything!

TOTP: Stuffing
Darren: I love stuffing, as long as it hasn't been stuffed next to kidneys. I cooked a turkey once and I didn't know you had to take all the insides out. So I made some stuffing to go in it and, well, it wasn't that good.

TOTP: Right, OK...well, we won't be coming round to yours for dinner then! As a child, what did you leave out for Santa?
Darren: Just cookies and milk. Although, actually, I think Dad used to make some beer or something...

TOTP: What's the worst pressie you've ever received?
Darren: Well, it usually goes wrong when someone tries to buy you new furniture, clothes or jewellery and you discover that maybe they don't know you that well after all. But, if it comes with a receipt, you can always take it back!

TOTP: So who's off the Christmas card list this year?
Darren: The Cheeky Girls.

TOTP: And who's at the top?
Darren: Kylie, as always.

TOTP: Describe your best Christmas to date...
Darren: Ummm, I think I was about 11 years-old and I got 24 Star Wars figures that my mum had saved for ages to get. We were pretty poor, we lived in a trailer, but she still managed to get what I'd wanted.

TOTP: Do you still play with them?
Darren: I do still play with them yeah, but had to sell the original ones when I was really poor. As a pop star though, I was able to buy them all again.

TOTP: Is Christmas better on the beach or snuggled up in front of a fire?
Darren: Fire, definitely. I was raised on these Christmas movies and it always snowed in them, so to me that is what Christmas is all about. Having lived in America for four or five years now, I've been able to have that experience. I have to say it's better!

TOTP: What would you say has been the album of the year?
Darren: I think 'The Eminem Show'. I just really respect him, because in an age of loads of manufactured music, he really has something to say.

TOTP: Single of the year?
Darren: It's got to be Kylie's 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head'.

TOTP: That was last year!
Darren: Was it? I'm out of touch because I've been on tour all year. Errrr...I'll say 'Electrical Storm' then, by U2.

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