Simply Red's Mick Hucknall speaks ahead of Birmingham gig - interview

He hoped the record would be big – but even he couldn't have imagined it would as successful as it was.

Stars became the 14th best-selling album of all time in the UK and was the first since Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water to be the best-seller in two consecutive years.

Hucknall says: "After the success of A New Flame I set myself the challenge of composing a whole album of original songs. I could never have imagined that Stars would have the impact it did.

"It's always about the music. I have this abiding faith in the music and that will shine through when I'm dead and gone.

"I don't really care about the contemporary side of it because I'm always trying to make music that will last a long time.

"We finished the last leg of the previous tour at the Olympic Stadium, in Munich, and the band were all saying how fresh the whole thing felt, especially after more than 100 shows in the past year around the world.

"It's been great seeing so many smiling faces in the crowd. We've also noticed on this tour a lot more younger people coming to the shows. I guess some people are discovering our music for the first time."

Simply Red have enjoyed being on the road for their newest album, Big Love, and are delighted to have flown around the world.

Hucknall adds: "For us, it's more about putting on the best show we can - come rain or shine, indoors or outdoors - but it's a great change of scenery to be playing all over the world.

"We've played some unusual venues this year around Europe. Racecourses, forests and a few castles, it will make for a nice change to not worry about the weather with this upcoming arena tour. November isn't ideal for anything outdoors."

Luckily they are indoors at the Genting Arena, in Birmingham, on Sunday.

The star no longer has many rituals before a show. Though he likes to coincide his shows with the cricket season.

"It used to be one of our tour rituals to play cricket in the downtime before a show and for a while, I had some cricket nets in my back garden. Now I mostly play it on the PS4 at home but I still love going to see the matches at Lord's Cricket Ground when I have a chance."

Hucknall's life has changed dramatically since Stars was released. Back then, Hucknall was a playboy who bedded more models than Simon Le Bon. These days, however, things have changed. He's happily settled down and enjoying life as a family man.

"Touring is me going back to work, so while I'm sure they'll be coming out to see a few shows, I think it may get a little boring for them.

" Hucknall made Big Love because the band had reached a landmark anniversary.

"Had my manager not come round tand told me our 30th anniversary was looming, I'd still be at home."

"The theme of it was based on reality. It's based on family. I have a family that I thought I'd never have, and it changed my life completely.

"I am responding to the last 30 years, and I am trying to sound like Simply Red."

By Andy Richardson