We didn't know it was going to be a career - it was just a lot of fun. We were known as the bimbo band and never expected to last.
After a few years, we realized that you did have to put some work into it. That's why the bimbo comments make me angry. After seven years, people have to realize we have a certain amount of talent.
I was very aware as a young mum that I had to be there and not go off the rails. I would go clubbing, then come home and make breakfast for the baby.
We did 10 years of working and travelling constantly, and we were just knackered. I thought: 'I've got to take a break.' I felt like I was going mad. I decided to move to Cornwall.
We've always been do-it-yourself. In that we've had complete control.
We wouldn't ever sit down and pretend that our friendship didn't fall apart back in the late ‘80s. It wasn't like there was a massive bust-up. We just drifted apart.
People thought we were intimidating, especially once we'd had a few drinks, but when I look back we were virtually on top of each other, holding hands. We sounded so stupid.
My dad was fine, but I have to say my mum was upset when I said I was leaving home.
Everyone we knew was forming a band. Boy George, Wham! Sade. But it wasn't a big deal, they were our friends. It wasn't like we were hanging out with pop stars.
We spent a couple of years trying to be what we thought people wanted us to be, what the press thought we should be, doing what the company wanted. Finally we just said 'Sod it. This is what we do best. We're best at making pop records that people enjoy and having fun and entertaining them.'
We had to pose with towels wrapped around us, holding rubber rings, that sort of thing. The turning point came when a photographer asked us to get on a fur rug and crawl like cats. We said no, because it was sexist and disrespectful.
