We meet 'The One and Only' Chesney Hawkes

It's not often that you get to have a one-on-one with a personal hero, but this afternoon Reality Bites got just that. Ahead of this weekend's Let's Dance for Comic Relief finale, we arranged an interview with the legendary Chesney 'The One and Only' Hawkes. Chezza will be returning to the stage with his '80s supergroup on Saturday night, so we called him - called him by his number! - and had a jolly good chinwag.

How's your day going Chesney?
"It's actually the first morning or afternoon I've had off in a long while, so I've had a brilliant time. It's been a long time coming. It feels like I've been dancing for years. I'm kind of making more of it than I should really. We only had yesterday as rehearsal and I'm on my way into town now to do some more and meet up with Noel Fielding. Noel's going to be my new dancing partner!"

No injuries to report this week?
"No, no. We had all that last week. Toyah had her hip replacement, I nearly broke my wrist and all that kind of stuff. But fingers crossed we're all good to go."

Can we expect to see a slicker, improved performance for the final?
"Yeah, we're all taking it up professionally now I think. Expect Broadway next!"

You looked surprised to reach the final. Were you shocked to get voted through?
"Oh goodness, yes! We were all really shocked. We made plans for this week. I was supposed to be washing my hair. Toyah had a gig. We had no idea we would be coming back this week."

Have you got any chance of winning?
"I have my money on Ade Edmondson. I think his routine was an instant classic. He walked out in that tutu and it was a real slam dunk."

Were you disappointed you didn't get to cross-dress? That seems to be an essential rule for winning this thing.
"I am to be honest. I am a little bit upset. I was looking forward to dressing up as cheerleaders for 'Greased Lightning', you know, with the ra-ra skirts. Limahl was really up for it. There was talk of us even cross-dressing this week and changing genders, but I think with everyone else cross-dressing - even Katie Price is doing it! - it might have been one ladyboy too far."

Is it true this '80s supergroup might be staying together after the show?
"Well... I've heard the same rumours. I can't say any more. Watch this space."

That's one big rumour going around!
"Like I say, I can't tell you if the rumour is true or not. I'd have to kill you."

Are you surprised at the amount of affection the British public have for you after all these years?
"Yeah, it is strange for me really. It was 20 years ago. 'The One and Only'. I did a freshers' students ball recently and there were 18-year-olds there watching. I put that record out two years before they were born and they still knew all the words. I don't know what it is about that song that just keeps going, but I'm really grateful for it and I'm really grateful for the warm reception that I get when I do TV shows like this and just walking down the street."

Do you ever get sick of playing it?
"'The One and Only'? Down the years I've had a slight love/hate relationship with it, but I can't not love playing it. It always raises the roof as soon as you start the song with that intro."

What's the strangest place you've heard the track?
"Man, it was a hit all over the world, so it's never that surprising to hear it. But I did hear it in the Seychelles, which was a weird one, literally in a hotel bar when I was on holiday with my mates. That was crazy. You do hear it all over the place. I was over in the States recently and it came on the radio in my hire car. You can't escape from it!"

What are you up to at the moment career-wise?
"I'm still making music myself. I have an album on ChesneyHawkes.com, I'm working on a new record and I'm writing my autobiography... which should be interesting. There should be some revelations there. But my day job is writing and producing for other artists, so I spend a lot of my time doing that."

Have you deliberately avoided reality TV in the past? You must surely get lots of offers?
"I don't necessarily try to avoid it. I'm realistic enough to know if something big comes in that I have three kids and a house and I have to pay for all that with something. I have been offered stuff and have had to turn things down due to scheduling, but I'll always look at stuff. I don't have anything against reality TV. I've done panto down the years, I love that. So never say never for anything. Look at me, I'm dancing on TV! I'm up for anything!"

The final of Let's Dance for Comic Relief starts on Saturday night at 7.10pm on BBC One.

Will you be voting for Chesney on Saturday night? Leave your opinions in the box below!