Born in Surrey, Andrew Ridgeley, 61, formed Wham! with his school friend George Michael. From 1982, the band dominated the charts with hits such as Club Tropicana, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Freedom and I’m Your Man. This year is the 40th anniversary of the release of their single Last Christmas, which has become festive classic; a commemorative EP is out now. Ridgeley lives in Cornwall.
When were you happiest?
When George, Shirlie [the Wham! backing singer, whom Ridgeley dated] and I were knocking about as teenagers.
What is your earliest memory?
It’s of my paternal grandfather, who my brother and I delighted in being terrified of, and whom we named Drac as we thought he bore a resemblance to Count Dracula.
Aside from a property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
A pension.
What is your most treasured possession?
A photo of George, Shirlie and me from 1983.
Describe yourself in three words.
Male, average height.
What makes you unhappy?
Watching the England men’s football team.
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
My favourite cat, Kipper.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Someone with nothing better to do.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Snappiness.
What scares you about getting older?
Getting older doesn’t scare me.
Which book are you ashamed not to have read?
Joseph Conrad’s Lord Jim, which was one of the set texts for my English literature A-level. I have almost finished it.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
That rather assumes I have grown up.
Would you choose fame or anonymity?
Famous anonymity.
What do you owe your parents?
Half-decent genes.
To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
My dad, because he died before I could say goodbye.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Harvey’s Sussex Best bitter.
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What does love feel like?
Somewhat disconcerting, but not unpleasant.
Which living person do you most despise, and why?
Too many to single out, but almost exclusively inhabiting the realms of politics and the clergy.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
FFS!
What has been your biggest disappointment?
My local Tesco stopping stocking Häagen-Dazs Peanut Butter Crunch.
When did you last cry, and why?
Last week – A303 eastbound carriageway closures.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A ban on music in restaurants.
What keeps you awake at night?
Indigestion.
Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
I’ve about as much of each as I might reasonably ask for.
How would you like to be remembered?
I don’t think I care.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
That further lessons await.
