For the fans
CONTENTS
Chapter 12 ‘Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word’
‘ONE LOVE’
20 February 2002 – Brit Awards, Earl’s Court, London
ANTONY
This was meant to be one of the best nights of Frank Skinner’s career, and just another evening out for the four of us. But the Fates, it seems, have other plans.
I’ve always loved Frank, and he’s definitely looking the part for one of the biggest jobs of his life – hosting the music industry’s most important event of the year, broadcasting live to millions of viewers at home, as well as entertaining us lot sitting in front of him. He bounds onto the stage at the start, smiling like the cat that got the cream, ready with a good joke to share. Sure enough, when he undoes his jacket, there it is – a big shiny Union Jack tie and shirt underneath. Not quite as stunning as Geri Halliwell in THAT dress, but still, pretty funny.
Sadly for Frank, it turns out that is to be his best moment, and we watch him bumble his way through the next two hours. His one-liners are falling on stony ground, while his co-host, Zoe Ball, stands beside him, looking increasingly unhappy. Frank will say later he was dying inside, this was the worst gig he’s ever done, one he will never, ever repeat – which is a shame as, only a few yards away at one of the tables, the four of us are having a whale of a time.
DUNCAN
This is actually one of Blue’s first proper grown-up nights out. The band’s only been together for a few months, and most of our evenings tend to end up in clubs where … well, let’s just say the wine might not be as good as at the Brits and the floor’s definitely a lot dirtier. And the places we hang out, you certainly don’t get to see Anastasia duetting with Jamiroquai, the first act on tonight’s bill. We all grew up watching these awards on TV, so when our record label told us we’d been nominated for the Breakthrough gong, there was only a pile of dust where we’d been standing; we’d already gone to pick out our suits.
LEE
The two best things about tonight – wearing a great suit, and the fact that we already know we’re not going to win. I’m not being falsely modest here, check out this list of our fellow nominees … our great mates Atomic Kitten, Starsailor, Mis-Teeq, So Solid Crew, Turin Brakes, Tom McRae, Zero 7, Elbow. Not enough talent on that list for you? Oh sorry, I forgot to mention Gorillaz in there as well. See what I mean?
So we’re not feeling any pressure, the wine’s flowing and we can revel in sitting in our glad rags at one of the top tables, gazing at proper stars like Kylie Minogue and Sting, laughing with – mostly at – Frank Skinner, and generally pinching ourselves.
SIMON
You know what, Frank’s actually pretty funny up there – but the four of us have always been easy to please. So we’re giggling our way through the night, while our glasses continue to be filled by an invisible hand. In fact, we’re having such a good time we almost miss our category being announced, until Trevor Nelson comes on stage to present the award: he looks the business.
ANTONY
Suddenly everything slows, and it feels like someone has turned the volume right down in this giant arena. Trevor slowly opens the envelope, and, is it me, or has the whole room gone completely still? It feels like five minutes, but it’s probably only a couple of seconds before he says one word, ‘Blue.’
DUNCAN
Now it’s a blur of hugs, the four of us jumping up and down, somehow making it onto the stage, gazing out at a sea of faces. I’m completely tongue-tied, but I’m in front of the microphone, so I mumble something about thanking the record label. Then Antony takes a turn, and he thanks the fans – I wish I’d done that first. Somehow, he always finds it easier to come up with the patter.
LEE
I’m gazing at the Award in front of us, and I’m remembering those days at school, when a teacher told me, ‘You’ll never make it as a singer.’
Then I start jumping up and down in the background – there’s always one!
SIMON
Cameras are flashing from every direction as we head backstage to more hugs. Everyone looks genuinely