Mark!

NAME:

Mark Daniel Read.

DATE OF BIRTH:

7th November 1978 in Kingston, Surrey.

FAMILY:

Mum, Dad, two brothers.

DESCRIPTION:

Same as ever - though I've chilled out a lot over the last year. I'm only hyper when it counts.

THE STORY SO FAR:

From a musical family, joined parents' covers band and travelled around the world on cruise ships while still at school, represented the UK in a song festival in Rumania and won the contest as Best Young Newcomer, discovered by a1's management in his brothers' band.

INSTRUMENTS:

I've played the piano since I was three but I still can't master the kazoo. I'd like to learn the guitar soon.

BEST PERSONAL MOMENT:

Buying a house and a car, but we've had a nice quiet year, even though we've been busy in the studio and in Asia.

BEST A1 MOMENT SO FAR:

Winning the BRIT Award, that was such a great thing: being up there with some of the greatest artists of all time, and being one of the lucky few who went home with a BRIT.

BEST A1 MOMENT YOU CAN IMAGINE:

Being Number One on all the radio charts with our new material and I'd like to see a1 broadening out to new audiences - that'd be great.

FAVOURITE CELEBRITY YOU'VE MET?:

It was very, very special to meet Elton John at the BRITS. I had a quick chat with him, and that was great.

CELEBRITY YOU'D STILL LIKE TO MEET?:

The Rock! No, for me meeting Elton John was meeting my biggest idol and I was impressed - I still went away a fan, and that's the most important thing when you meet your idol.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU MISS OUT ON BECAUSE YOU'RE FAMOUS?:

Probably, but the stuff that we do get to do makes up for that ten-fold.

DO YOU THINK YOU'VE GOT A SOULMATE OUT THERE?:

Everybody has a soulmate. Mine would be someone I can get along with, someone I can talk to for a long time - you've got to be a friend before you become lovers.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE?:

Of course!

WE CATCH YOU ON A SATURDAY NIGHT OFF, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?:

At home watching a movie or at the cinema 'cause we never get time to watch movies.

WE BURST INTO YOUR FLAT ON A SUNDAY MORNING, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?:

It is nice to stay in bed till 1pm but I like to enjoy the day, so I'd be up and out. I might go the gym, or something like that.

NUMBER ONE MUSICAL HERO:

The Beatles, and then Elton John.

WHO MADE YOU WANT TO BE A POP STAR?:

My folks, because they're performers, so I grew up listening to them and performing with them.

TOP THREE ALBUMS:

Any Beatles album and Paul McCartney solo album, any John Lennon solo album, any Elton John album and any Elvis album too!

A SONG THAT ALWAYS MAKES YOU GET DOWN:

"Play That Funky Music," by Wild Cherry.

A SONG THAT ALWAYS GETS YOU IN THE MOOD:

"Let's Get It On," by Marvin Gaye.

A SONG THAT YOU ALWAYS SING IN THE SHOWER:

For some strange reason, it's Billy Joel's "River of Dreams."

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?:

"Always remember the people who are around you who helped you get where you are today."