Kim Dawson (that's her on the right) with Nicole from All Saints

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She's been abused by groupies and charmed by Peter Andre. As music writer for the Aberdeen Evening Express, Kim Dawson has met some of the biggest names around. Here, she talks about life with the stars.

What's even better than being a pop star?

Being a pop journalist.

Honest.

Look at the facts - no slogging it out in the gym/dance studio, zilcho worries about your first story flopping (a sub will save the day) and you get to schmooze with famous-types who survive on only a few hours sleep a night while you’re bright and chirpy.

Having been immersed in this magical career for five years (I’m 20 now and started writing a column for the Aberdeen Evening Express when I was 15 and still at school), I’ve interviewed and met some of the biggest names around.

From teen pop idols like Five, Steps and Boyzone to cool types, Beastie Boys, Stereophonics and Travis. Been there, hung out and discovered that not surprisingly, they’re all just everyday people.

One occasion which sticks out is an after-show bash for the Smash Hits Poll Winners' Party a few years ago at the swanky Groucho Club in London’s Soho. Chris Evans struck up a chat with me, got me a drink and made a point of saying goodbye when he left!

Denise Van Outen was sitting on the toilet making a phone call while Zoe Ball washed her hands in the sink and little ol’ me, just popped in the middle of it all.

Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson was so drunk he nearly knocked my pal over, but on his way past he stopped to babble out a few words.

And as for my perfectly timed freeze-framed picture kissing Declan Donnelly, well that’s another story...

But seriously, I know interviewing famous people is much more fun than interviewing boring MPs, or even the most in-depth news story, and I’m blessed to have such a job, but you still have to work your socks off y’know.

Not all pop stars still have their feet on the ground.

Take All Saints for example. They have no time for anyone but themselves, unless of course they think you’re as important as them (which you won’t be, if you don’t have a Met Bar membership too).

It makes my blood boil to see Boyzone on TV chattering away about how much their fans mean to them, blah, blah, blah.

Explain why, then, Keith promised to come and have a chat with me only to waltz off to their tour bus never to return.

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