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What is your earliest memory?
Christmases — they were so much fun. So much celebration, a lot of noise, a lot of food, lots of music. And the summer holidays, spending all day long on the beach — I’m from Fleetwood, just north of Blackpool, on the north-west coast. Good times! -
Who was or still is your mentor?
My dad loved all types of song. The record collection in the house was very eclectic and that’s why I appreciate lots of different genres. Freddie Mercury and Elvis Presley were incredible performers, entertainers and singers. They inspired me a lot. -
How fit are you?
I hit 50 this year and I’m trying to be in the best shape of my life. There are times I get a bit lazy, then I have to drag myself back to training, especially when I have a big tour coming up — I have to build up the stamina to get through it. -
Tell me about an animal you have loved.
Throughout my life I’ve had wonderful dogs. My old dog Guinness I had from a pup, and it broke my heart when he died. People say that animals don’t have souls. Dogs definitely do, I believe that fully — they have emotions, a depth of love. -
Risk or caution, which has defined your life more?
Risk. I’ve taken a lot of chances for my career. It’s important to be cautious, but not to an extent that it holds you back from succeeding or discovering something exciting. -
What trait do you find most irritating in others?
People that don’t listen, don’t take on board what you’re saying. -
What trait do you find most irritating in yourself?
I’d appreciate to have a little more patience. Not having the ability to sit back and relax and let things happen at the pace they’re meant to is my biggest weakness. -
What drives you on?
I love music. It feeds my soul, it feeds my heart. Being able to convey the emotions that the music deserves, and help other people feel that emotion, gives me the strength to carry on. People’s reactions to my singing, hearing stories about how a song has helped them get through things in their lives. And my children. They’re everything to me. -
Do you believe in an afterlife?
Absolutely. I grew up in a strong Irish Catholic faith. I’ve lost friends, I’ve lost family members — my own father — and I believe they haven’t gone, they’ve just moved to a different room. There’s going to be a moment when we all confront again. -
Which is more puzzling, the existence of suffering or its frequent absence?
The existence of suffering is probably a way of putting people on this Earth who can deal with harder things. Those challenges in life that provoke suffering are strengthening and character-building. -
Name your favourite river.
I grew up very close to the Wyre. It goes through so many villages and towns surrounding my own hometown and eventually leads out into the Irish Sea and becomes the way to new horizons. In my adult life, the Thames: it’s iconic — it embraces lots of different elements of London. -
What would you have done differently?
You get one opportunity in life to live it, and whatever cards you’re dealt, whatever journey you go on, it’s the life you’re meant to live.
‘Open Arms — The Symphonic Songbook’ by Alfie Boe is out now on BMG. ‘Face the Music: My Story’ is published by Ebury Spotlight
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