10 questions for Chris de Burgh

We ask Chris de Burgh 10 quick questions.

Would you care if you never sang Woman In Red again?

Yes, I would. I never get fed up singing that song. It means a lot to me.

Would you like your youth back, or are you happy as you are?

I’d like my youth back, but with the confidence to love myself this time, not having the insecurities of youth. If you can’t love yourself, you can’t love anyone else. I’d also be a few kilos lighter which would be nice.

John Lennon or Bob Dylan?

John Lennon was great but I think Dylan edges it.

Classical music or Rock ‘n’ Roll?

Classical. I always have that on the speakers when we’re entertaining friends.

Critics. Take them or leave them?

Some of them need a slap. I’ve had every criticism going, but critics don’t pay for their tickets. I care what the public think. I once wrote to a critic who slated a very successful gig I did in Dublin. He even had a go at my trousers. He was dishonest and needed to be told, so I wrote but I won’t do it again.

Dinner parties. Good idea or potentially disastrous?

I love dinner parties as it’s about sharing. But I don’t cook. I’m great at clearing up though. I used to work in a restaurant, washing the glasses. I was at dinner in Cape Town a few years back and sat next to Winnie Mandela and her daughter, so I love the different conversations you get.

From your hits, Don’t Pay The Ferryman (No 48) or Missing You (No 3)?

Oh, that’s easy. Ferryman every single time.

Should we care about the Middle East?

I’m lucky enough to be popular in the Lebanon, and I see the Middle East as the melting pot of the world. We really should take time to learn lots more.

Gigs in Europe or the UK?

Gigs in Europe.

You have 24 hours left to live. How do you spend the time?

As I’m a wine collector I would go with my family to Bordeaux and go to the best chateaux, La Tour and maybe Mouton Rothschild, Lafiitte. I’d try as many wines as I could and see my life out in a blur.