Cheryl Baker interview: 'I couldn't get arrested'

Cheryl Baker is a much-loved UK TV star whose middle name should probably be 'Diversity'. She has won Eurovision, performed pop music for over 30 years, hosted Record Breakers and now sung opera on primetime ITV1. Digital Spy caught up with Cheryl to ask about "the lean years", her kids' TV fame and her battle with Joe McElderry on this weekend's Popstar To Operastar finale.

How has the Operastar training been going?
"Every single day we've been training. Every single day. Every single day in the last 12 weeks. It started six weeks before the first transition. We've maybe had a day off every fortnight and it's been absolutely incessant."

Did you ever imagine you'd be on primetime TV singing arias?
"No - of course not! I was so unknowledgeable about opera. I don't know how many other people auditioned, but I hadn't seen an opera or know anything apart from Nessun Dorma and the things that everybody knows. The 'Barcelona' with whatever her name is, the one that sang with Freddie Mercury."

What was your opinion of opera six weeks ago?
"I thought opera was for people up their own backsides. I consider myself a very straightforward, unbiased person. Whether it is religion, politics, people - I regard myself as unbiased and down the line. But I had made this preconception about opera that it was for snobbish rich people and that all the singers were fat. I had this image, which has been blown apart by Popstar To Operastar."

Do you have any chance of beating Joe McElderry?
"Who knows? I didn't expect to get this far. I thought I would go last week. Joe is definitely the favourite and I told him in week one, my money was on him to win. If I lose, I won't be disappointed. The show on Sunday is so brilliant and there's amazing duets with the mentors - I'm doing a song that's been on TV adverts. Then we do a big group song with Rolando and Katherine. I'm looking forward to it. It will be great entertainment."

How do you feel being judged on show?
"I don't like it. I don't like the judging thing. I'd rather it was just the music. I don't like waiting for the 'and the winner is' or the 'person going home is'. I hate that. The fact that you are there singing should make it a show. But unfortunately that's the way TV is at the moment. So, it's as they say, 'Shut up or ship out'. I wanted to do the show, so as much as I don't like it, I've got to shut up really."

Bucks Fizz are still going strong. Do you still love playing those pop songs?
"It's fabulous. We're reunited with Jay Aston now and this year we celebrate our 30th year. We're playing the Palladium on Monday with Bjorn Again as support. It's just like the old days with the set, dancers, a big band. It's going to be fabulous. After that we've got a couple of festivals and private gigs. It's where my heart is really. My heart will always be on stage with Mike and Jay singing those Bucks Fizz songs."

What's the demographic at your gigs?
"Fortunately, our audience is growing again. Obviously it dwindles over the years. The '90s were the really lean years when we were doing bingo halls and stuff. But to be back again doing the dance routines, harmonies and live band in proper theatres, it installs enthusiasm in the fans and they start coming back again. And they bring their friends and kids, so it's all going full circle."

Record Breakers and Eggs 'n' Baker were legendary children's TV shows. How come you gave all that work up?
"Yeah, I loved them. I did Record Breakers for over 10 years and Eggs 'n' Baker for five series. They were great. Eggs 'n' Baker was my two loves of cooking and music so it was great for me. At the same time, I was doing Bucks Fizz, so it was all too much. At one moment in 1997, I was on six days a week, which is definitely overkill. But after that, I couldn't get arrested. It's such a precarious business that you should take jobs when you get them because you never know when you'll get another lean time. There were two years when I couldn't get work and I still had bills and a mortgage to pay. I've never been successful enough to buy a property outright and have loads of money in the bank. I live hand to mouth, the same as most people do. Most of my school friends are in a much better financial position than me because they have steady jobs and they put their money away and haven't spent like I have. I can't sit back and retire because I can't afford to!"

The campaign to bring back Eggs 'n' Baker starts here!
"Oh I know, bless you. I'd love to do it again. There's loads of cooking on telly, but we need more serious cooking for kids. I honestly think that there should be a cooking show for kids again."

Finally - do you think the UK will ever win Eurovision again?
"We're getting there, we're getting better. The voting system still lets it down. I think the voting for the best mate next door has certainly happened - embarrassingly so. But I still think we stand a chance of winning again in the future. We take it more seriously now and I think Blue should have got a Top 5. As long as we take it seriously and don't treat it as a joke then we may stand a chance. I love it though. The show gets more spectacular every year. The show itself is moving forward, but the voting needs to catch up with the show."

Popstar to Operastar - The Final airs on Sunday at 8pm on ITV1. Cheryl Baker and Bucks Fizz play the London Palladium on Monday