WILL CHRIS LOWE EVER COME OUT?

Sixteen years after he last spoke to us, we took along this extract from the interview where he declined the opportunity to come out or be a role model.

Before we read it out to him he told us with a nervous laugh, “I deny any knowledge of this!”

Chris’s December 2003 DNA interview read:

DNA: Neil’s discussed his personal life, but we’ve never heard from you about yours. Chris: No, and you won’t be! [Laughs heartily] Is that because there’s nothing to tell? Chris: No, it’s not that. It’s just that’s not why I made music. Some people, and you get this a lot now, become pop stars because they want to be famous not because they are interested in music. They could be an actor or a model – they don’t really care. The reason I do it is because I enjoy writing songs. I have no desire for fame or celebrity or for anyone to know anything about me. I think that’s fair enough if you set that out. The problem is when people use the media to promote themselves and then turn around and say, “Oh no, this is private!” You can’t have it both ways. I’ve always been consistent really.

Does Neil’s coming out mean he’s a role model who can have a positive effect? Chris: I don’t think pop stars should be good role models. We should be bad role models [giggles]. Whose business is it [laughs]? I think it’s the role of pop stars to be bad role models.

“I’d still say the same thing today,” insists Chris, “word perfect. What’s to disagree with?”

“I’d agree with all of that!” Neil pipes in. “I haven’t been on a journey,” Chris splutters. “I think exactly the same now as I always did.”