Bonnie Tyler

My mother was the only one who encouraged and inspired me for singing. She was singing all the time in the house, playing records also. ”

I never forget the first time I was on 'Top of the Pops', my bass player said: 'You've made it!' I did used to think, when I was younger, that I'd be on there one day. ”

Every time I release an album my old record company releases another one. ”

I've been around for such a long time. My first hit record was over 20 years ago and the people who bought my records then are married now and they probably still play these records and their children like them. ”

The international travelling gets harder as I get older, but when I'm performing on stage, it makes it all worth while. ”

Fabulous place, Dublin is. The trouble is, you work hard and in Dublin you play hard as well. ”

I went to all the shops in the village looking for work. I didn't have any qualifications. I ended up working in a grocery shop for about a year and then went to a confectioner, where I earned three pounds 10 shillings. I gave the money to my mother and father, but I also managed to save five shillings a week. ”

I suppose I don't have to work, but I do love working. I class myself as a working-class girl, and I've never stopped working. When I'm offered shows here, there and the other, I do an awful lot because I feel other people would love to be offered what I'm offered; who am I to say no? I'm definitely working class, and I always will be. ”