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Arrogance is the name of the game, so it seems, when you’ve hit a certain level.

Unlike the fellow Irishmen who they’re stepping into the shoes off, so far, Westlife have been charmers - all five times I’ve interviewed them.

Life as a pop writer has it’s ups and downs. The first thing people say to me when they find out what I do is: "Who’s the most famous person you’ve met?"

Coming from a town like Aberdeen where our only musical export worth mentioning is Annie Lennox, the last answer most expect is: "The Spice Girls."

Jaws drop and a hint of shock washes over their surprised faces.

"What all of them?"

"Yep, and Geri was the nicest," I reply.

Immediately you’re thrust upon this pedestal and you can see their mind whirling round wondering what they can get out of you and who they can meet.

Not good for making real friends that’s for sure.

Most of the time it’s not the acts who turn out to be pain, but their crazed groupies.

Yes, I’ve been semi-stalked. Had abuse shouted at me at gigs and was even asked for a fight just as I was about to interview Five once!

This traumatised jealous teen fan is just one of a flock known to us as cravens.

It made me laugh recently to hear that a piece of toast Justin Timberlake of US boyband *N Sync had nibbled on was sold at auction for $700. Crikey. If I’d have known I’d have gathered up loads of leftovers when I had breakfast with them in their super-deluxe hotel on their first ever UK visit a couple of years back.

Celebrities are normal folks, which nine-to-five routine people and kids seem to forget.

My most bizarre interview was probably the one which ended with Peter Andre offering to feed me strawberries (and before you go to slag him off, he’s a nice guy!).

There was a time when thanks to Liam and Noel all indie/rock-types would have been put into the category of being pains in the backside to interview.

Now, however, they’re all just themselves.

Whether it’s the cheeky banter of Ocean Colour Scene, the non-limelight hogging Travis or the always up for it Shirley Manson of Garbage, I’ll tackle them all.

Next on my hit list of famous friends to make are the stars no-one regional gets near like Will Smith, Britney Spears and Melanie C (who is apparently coming to Aberdeen on her solo tour).

Hey, if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

And like the Backstreet Boys 'I Want It That Way'.

Charming: Kim with Westlife and, below, with Baby Spice Emma Bunton

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