Kim Wilde: ‘I was trapped in a hotel corridor with just my knickers on'
Best childhood memory?
When I was about 10, my music teacher, Mr Webster, asked me to play the part of Mary in the school play. He was someone I absolutely adored – he inspired every kid to pick up an instrument, even if they felt they had no musical talent. He made everyone feel empowered to get involved, and I loved him for that. Plus, he was a very charismatic and handsome man, which I, of course, noticed as well. About five years ago, his son reached out to me for a big birthday celebration, so I recorded a grown-up version of the song and sent it to him. Unfortunately, he's no longer with us, but I'm glad I had the chance to tell him what a huge influence he had on me. Did I mention that I thought he was also incredibly attractive and charismatic? I might've kept that part to myself.
Best day of your life?
It doesn't get any better than giving birth. I was spectacularly unprepared in many ways. I hadn't gone to birthing lessons. I'd done very little reading. I just assumed that once I'd get to the hospital, everything would be fine. And then it wasn't it. I was an older mother at 38 and things got tricky, but my body managed to give birth and it was the most beautiful, wonderful experience to hold my babies in my arms.
Best moment on stage?
My 'Here Come the Aliens' Tour at Koko in Camden. My father, who hadn't been to one of my gigs for a while, came and I'd gone fully into costume mode and ended up looking a bit like a space-age Barbarella. I launched myself into the album and the greatest hits and the whole place went absolutely crazy. I was so proud that my dad was there to see that because quite a few of the songs that we were performing that night were written by him and my brother. It felt like a real proper homecoming.
Best performance?
My brother Rick and I had been to a Magic FM Christmas party to do an acoustic set, and we were on the train going home and everyone looked a bit glum, so I said to Rick: 'Come on, it's Christmas. I've got antlers. You've got a guitar? Why don't we just sing some songs and see what happens.' I remember Ricky looking at me and going, 'Are you sure?' and I'm like, 'Yeah, come on.' So that's what we did and unbeknown to us, there was this charming girl filming the whole thing. And then it went viral, which was just something else. I remember thinking, 'This is going to be an absolute disaster and it could literally bury my career overnight' – but it did exactly the opposite. It was so spontaneous, and fun-inspired, and I'm glad it happened. It went on to inspire a Christmas album and brought about a lot of really good things.
Best horticultural moment?
Gardening is my private passion now, but it became a public passion for several years. I stepped out of the music industry to have a family and that's how it began. I thought, 'I've got to learn about plants, because I want to make a garden for the kids.' So, I enroled at a local horticultural college to do a summer course. And that ended up with me doing a two-year City and Guilds course, where I learnt a hell of a lot. I then got asked to do TV programmes, and I just thought, 'Well, why the hell not? I'm an unemployed pop star, let's give TV gardening a go.' Then I ended up at Chelsea Flower Show, with my good friend Richard Lucas and we walked away with a gold medal for our courtyard garden.
Best personality trait?
My daughter said I'm very open minded and I would agree with her. When you have an open mind there's so much more of the world to absorb and to enjoy and to experience.
Best decision you ever made?
Stopping drinking alcohol nine years ago has had a profound impact on my mental and physical health and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. I gave it a good old session from when I was 15 or 16. I'd spent virtually half my life with it being a part of my life and I certainly did have lots of fabulous times with alcohol, but I'm in much better shape since I stopped.
Worst childhood memory?
When I was three, I had meningitis. I remember a pounding headache and a high fever, and then being rushed to the hospital. My parents were driving back from Liverpool, so we had someone looking after us, and they got me to the hospital. I vaguely remember having a lumbar puncture, and that's the last thing I recall, but I survived it.
Worst moment of your life?
The brief moment when you lose sight of your child – it's happened to me a few times as a parent, and I think every parent has been there. You suddenly look, and they're not where you thought they were. It's a terrifying, shocking feeling. It's happened to me a couple of times, when I had no idea where they were. Without a doubt, the worst moments in life as a parent always involve your children.
Worst moment on stage?
My band and I were in Portugal, performing a few covers, one of which was Forever Young by Alphaville. We were a bit rusty, and chaos soon followed. I started the song in tune with the guitarist, but, for some reason – one we've never quite figured out – every other musician came in on a different key. It was absolutely terrifying, but I decided to just power through. There are photos floating around of the band with their backs to the audience, and just me up front, trying to salvage the situation. 'Kim Wilde singing Forever Young' is somewhere on YouTube, but it's now known as Forever Wrong. It's painful to listen to.
Worst celebrity encounter?
I remember doing Top of the Pops when Jimmy Savile was hosting. My mum came with me to it and we both had a very uncomfortable feeling being around him and we kept our distance. Mum has mentioned it since, saying, 'I knew he was a wrong 'un.' She kept close by me during that show and looking back after everything that happened, I now realise she did me a big favour.
Worst drunken mistake?
In my drinking days I'd had one too many with a promoter who'd been buying rounds for me and the band all night. After a wild evening, I stumbled back to my hotel room. In the middle of the night, I woke up needing the bathroom, opened the door, and – somehow – ended up locked out in the corridor, completely naked. There I was, stranded in a brightly lit hotel hallway with very little on, desperately trying to figure out how to make it back to my room. I think I had a pair of knickers on and that was it. I had to run down to the lift and then edge my way out of it to see if I could see anyone at reception. The guy was absolutely horrified, gave me a key card and I slunk back to my room.
Worst personality trait?
Before I got my hearing aid, I used to talk much louder – years of being on stage with musicians cranking up their amps had left my ears a bit shot. I'd often misinterpret what people said and end up saying the wrong thing, which was usually funny but, over time, really irritated those around me. My family begged me to get hearing aids, which I found pretty humiliating at the time. But, honestly, they've been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I can hear things now – even the insects I once missed – and subtle sounds that I now really appreciate.
Worst advice you've ever received?
I've been fortunate in that regard and haven't received much bad advice. I do remember when everyone was talking about Bitcoin, and someone suggested, 'Do you fancy taking some Bitcoin instead of getting paid for the gig?' I just said, 'No, I don't.' I can't recall who made the suggestion, but I definitely remember my firm, resounding 'no'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Woman who burned 40 per cent of her body in petrol station fireball reveals what she looks like six years later
An American woman has revealed her miraculous recovery from a horror gas station explosion almost six years ago after the accident led to 40 per cent of her body being covered in third-degree burns. Abigail Alexander, from Ohio, was just 18 when she and a British friend were caught up in the blast while riding a motorcycle together in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The young women, who were teaching in the country at the time, were almost killed when a fuel station burst into flames as they made their way to work. A tanker truck carrying 440 gallons of petrol had ignited while delivering the fuel to a storage tank, injuring 13 people, including Abbey and 22-year-old Zoe Eleftheriou from Medway, Kent. Shocking pictures showed Abigail's body covered in bandages and severe burns in the aftermath of the explosion in August 2019. Since then, Abbey, now 23, has been documenting her physical transformation on her social media platforms as well as Reddit 's 'Made Me Smile' channel and recently shared her latest photographs taken nearly six years after the life-altering accident. 'Almost six years post burn!!' she triumphantly captioned her post, which included six photos that showed how far she'd come from 2019, when she was rushed to hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. The first snap showed Abbey wrapped up in bandages while trying to walk with the help of a doctor while the second image depicted her lying in a hospital bed while hooked up to an IV pole. Her hair is cut short and her face - covered with burns - is visible. Abbey, who has been praised for her positive attitude and sense of humour despite the tragedy, also posted a selfie taken in hospital hat showed her bravely smiling through her treatment. She posed in a black swimsuit and pair of denim shorts in the fourth photo that showed scarring on her arms and legs as Abbey held up a fish she presumably caught while on holiday. Abbey included a snap of her firstborn after she and her partner, Austin Michael, welcomed their baby daughter last November. The sixth and final photo was a selfie that showed Abbey had minimal facial scarring, as her caption read: 'On a Reddit kick tonight and decided to post my yearly update to my favourite subreddit [MadeMeSmile]'. Her heartwarming post led to a flurry of comments as Reddit users celebrated how far she'd come from the accident in Cambodia in 2019, with one person writing she looked 'amazing'. 'Are you the one that was on a moped in Cambodia and a gas station exploded that you were driving past?! If so omg you look amazing!' their message read. A critical care nurse with experience treating large surface area burns said: 'We never get to see this. 'When we send patients out of the [Intensive Care Unit], they still look like you did in the first picture. 'We take care of them for months sometimes, then they move onto the next level of care. I almost didn't look at your pictures, but I'm glad it did. It warmed my heart a bit.' Social media users praised her as an 'absolute legend' and an 'effing warrior' in the comments section, with one person noting: 'Some of the toughest people have never battled what you have and come out the better.' Speaking to MailOnline in 2023, Abbey reflected on her recovery as she declared 'I didn't only manage to survive, I thrived'. Recalling the events of August 14, 2019, Abbey said she and her colleague Zoe were 'instantly burned' in the inferno before she was 'ran over by a car'. The British and American teachers were the only foreigners injured in the blast, which also seriously wounded 11 locals. Both women's families faced huge medical bills and they had to receive treatment before being able to return home. Abbey said she knew the road to recovery would be long and difficult after doctors told her nearly half her body was covered in third-degree burns - a prognosis that could be fatal if not treated properly. Unfortunately, her early recovery in Cambodia did not go as smoothly as might be hoped. The first clinic she went to put her in ice water, which she says she has since learned worsens burns. She also claimed medics drilled an IV into her bone without any pain medication. Her injuries were so severe she had to be intubated, she said. 'I spent a long few weeks on the ventilator, I even managed to pull out my breathing tube at one point. 'I struggled with hallucinations and 'false memories' and it took a long time for me to be able to decipher what was real and what was not.' She said getting home from the southeast Asian country was a trial in itself. 'Getting a medivac plane that could handle flying 23 hours was a challenge in itself but the state department did an amazing job at getting that accomplished.' She went on to be treated by a team of doctors at the Denver UC health burn unit, who she credited with helping her incredible physical recovery. But that was only half the story; the accident also dented her self-esteem as Abbey went from being 'an 18-year-old who thought she was invincible to being covered in burns, head shaved, and unable to even go to the bathroom' without assistance - all in the blink of an eye. Four years later, and with the support of her friends and family, Abbey had transformed into a 'burnt bad b****' with a voracious appetite for life. She has also continued to use her recovery experience to inspire and help other burn survivors. 'I am now active in the burn survivor community where I try and encourage others with my story,' Abbey said at the time, adding: 'I try to constantly live every day like it could be my last.' The following year, Abbey - who is originally from Miamisburg, Ohio but has since relocated to Glendive, Montana - said she was engaged to her long-term boyfriend Austin Michael, pregnant and 'happier than ever' in a post on Reddit. 'Almost 5 years post burn! Didn't know how I'd ever live a normal life or be happy again. Now I'm engaged, pregnant, and happier than ever.'
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Dead By Daylight The Walking Dead update release date and when you can play as the new survivors
Dead By Daylight is getting a new update in the form of The Walking Dead, which is adding Rick and Michonne as Survivors - here's everything you need to know about the release date, time and characters Dead By Daylight is set to deliver more thrills with the arrival of The Walking Dead in its latest update, introducing Rick and Michonne as new survivors. Already boasting a rich array of content, Dead By Daylight has previously featured crossovers from pop culture giants such as Chucky and Alien's Xenomorph, as well as lesser-known characters like Alan Wake and Five Nights At Freddy's icon Springtrap. With this extensive offering, players hardly need to keep up with the latest horror games like Resident Evil Requiem, unveiled at this year's summer showcase seaso n, or the upcoming Labyrinthine console release date. Now, with the release of the game's 9.1.0 patch notes, it's clear that there's even more to anticipate beyond the traditional confines of horror. The Walking Dead will make a firm entrance into the game when the Dead By Daylight 9.1.0 update rolls out, bringing both Rick and Michonne onboard as Survivors, each equipped with their own set of abilities to fend off the killers. This exciting crossover, featuring characters from what could be considered a horror-adjacent show, potentially paves the way for more similar characters to emerge from the fog. The game is poised to introduce a slew of thrilling changes, with the update's PTR featuring significant enhancements for The Executioner and the debut of a new Fog Vial item that temporarily conceals scratch marks and auras within a limited radius. This item could potentially give players an advantage over the Killer, but the Killer has also received a host of upgrades that could completely shift the balance of power. So, when exactly will the Dead By Daylight The Walking Dead update be released? And what can we expect from it? Here's all you need to know. Introducing All Out Gaming Introducing All Out Gaming, a dedicated gaming brand providing the best gaming news, reviews, previews, interviews and more! Make sure you don't miss out on our latest high-quality videos on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, where we'll be posting our latest reviews, previews, interviews, and live streams! You can also subscribe to our free All Out Gaming newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories. Dead by Daylight The Walking Dead update release date The release date for the Dead by Daylight The Walking Dead update is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29 at 8am PDT / 11am EDT / 4pm BST. This information was disclosed in the most recent Dead By Daylight blog post, with the release time being an estimate based on the launch times of the game's Five Nights At Freddy's and Steady Pulse updates. The update promises a wealth of changes, so dive into its new characters and modifications once the fresh patch goes live. It's set to be a big hit among The Walking Dead fans, and even more so for players who relish playing as Killers.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
26 new UNESCO World Heritage Sites for 2025
From the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal, UNESCO 's list of World Heritage Sites protects some of humanity's most treasured historical monuments. Now, 26 new sites have been added to this prestigious list. This year's additions include the original Disney Castle, a Diamond Mountain in North Korea, and the Killing Fields of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge. UNESCO has also included Port Royal - a mysterious sunken 'Pirate City' in Jamaica. Of the 32 candidates nominated this year, those accepted include 21 cultural sites, four natural wonders, and one mixed location. Pictured: Linderhof Castle near Oberammergau, southern Germany. The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Germany When Walt Disney needed inspiration for the castle in Sleeping Beauty, he turned to the stunning palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Built between 1864 and 1886, the spires of Neuschwanstein Castle tower over the Bavarian Alps. King Ludwig II, who would be declared mad shortly after the castle's completion, drew inspiration for the castle's design from fairy tales and the operas of Wagner. The castle features grand murals of forests and cherubs alongside a hidden grotto built to connect the King's living space and offices. Between 1975 and 1979, Cambodia's Khmer Rouge party killed between two and three million people. Inspired by radical Maoist ideology, the party led by Pol Pot killed ethnic, educated, urban, or professionally trained individuals. Perceived opponents of the regime were taken to sites which became known as the killing fields, where they were murdered and dumped in mass graves. These graves were so shallow that bones of the dead can still be seen sticking out of the ground to this day. One of these sites, formally an orchard located 6 miles (10km) south of the capital Phnom Penh, was made into a memorial site for the atrocity named the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center. The centre includes a large Buddhist stupa, or tower, made out of hundreds of unidentified skulls from those killed at the site. The Killing Fields and the notorious S-21 and M-13 prison, where thousands were tortured, have all been made part of the UNESCO world heritage list. Mount Kumgang, North Korea Known as the Diamond Mountain from the Sea, Mount Kumang is now one of three UNESCO World Heritage sites in North Korea. UNESCO has added the area as a mixed site, meaning it has outstanding natural and cultural value. This area is renowned for its valleys, waterfalls, incredible biodiversity, and peaks rising to nearly 5,250 ft (1,600m). Due to the local climate, these mountains are constantly shrouded by a changing pattern of mists, rain, and clouds. Additionally, the area has been considered sacred by Korean Buddhists for hundreds of years. The site is home to ancient stone carvings and temples dating back as far as the 5th century, including three which are still active today. Until January last year, the site was also one of the very few locations open to South Korean tourists as part of the so-called 'Sunshine Policy'. Gola-Tiwai Complex, Sierra Leone The Gola-Tiwai Complex is the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Sierra Leone and has been added following decades of conservation work in the region. The complex will include the 700 square kilometre Gola-Tiwai National Park as well as the nearby Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary. Once considered at threat by logging and civil war, this rainforest is home to a bewildering array of rare and endangered species. The area hosts more than 1,000 plant species, 55 mammals, up to 448 birds, and 600 species of butterfly. It is also the last remaining home of the forest elephant and pygmy hippopotamus in Sierra Leone. Pygmy hippos, made famous by Khao Kheow Open Zoo's Moo Deng , are now found in only a handful of waterways in West Africa and are considered endangered. The forest is also key to the survival of some species we would recognise here in the UK, such as migratory swifts which stop to rest in Gola-Tiwai on their way to Europe. Port Royal, Jamaica In the 17th century, the town of Port Royal was a major hub of English trade in the Caribbean and a notorious pirate haven nicknamed 'the wickedest city of Earth'. The city was home to English and Dutch 'Privateers', gangs of marauding pirates encouraged to attack the Spanish fleets. On shore, these wealthy criminals would spend their ill-gotten cash in the city's many taverns and gambling dens. However, a major earthquake in 1692 and an accompanying tsunami sank most of the port into the ocean. What remained of the town was then destroyed by a fire and a hurricane in the following years, all but wiping Port Royal off the map. Today, the remains of the pirate town are still found beneath the waves where they have been converted into a major archaeological site. This area, known as the Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal, has now been officially recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage site. The 26 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites 1. Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection (Cambodia) 2. Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago, Omatí Minhô (Guinea-Bissau) 3. Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal (Tajikistan) 4. Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains (Cameroon) 5. Faya Palaeolandscape (United Arab Emirates) 6. Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor (Malaysia) 7. Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia, The domus de janas (Italy) 8. Gola-Tiwai Complex (Sierra Leone) 9. Maratha Military Landscapes of India (India) 10. Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan (France) 11. Minoan Palatial Centres (Greece) 12. Mount Kumgang, Diamond Mountain from the Sea (North Korea) 13. Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape (Malawi). 14. Møns Klint (Denmark) 15. Murujuga Cultural Landscape (Australia) 16. Peruaçu River Canyon (Brazil) 17. Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream (South Korea) 18. Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley (Iran) 19. Rock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave (Russia) 20. Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe (Turkey) 21. The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal (Jamaica) 22. The Colonial Transisthmian Route of Panamá (Panama) 23. The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee (Germany) 24. Wixárika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta (Tatehuarí Huajuyé, Mexico) 25. Xixia Imperial Tombs (China) 26. Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes (Vietnam).
