Heather's no small artist, since the early 90's she has teleported many to planet pop. As the backbone vocals for M People, although Heather would massively elaborate it was very much a team effort; she is now cultivating her own solo career.

A team player she is, as the band reaped in millions worldwide from their blistering tracks 'One Night In Heaven' and 'Search For The Hero Inside Yourself'. From searching for the hero to becoming the heroine of classic pop, Heather's DIY attitude has paid off excessively.

Now the banquet of indulgence, Heather has a mantle piece brimming with two Brit Awards and a Mercury Music Award. Despite the diligent lifestyle of her solo career, Heather is still globetrotting the crevices of the world, touring and performing far and wide. Through her incessant love for music, she has become the one name pursed on every organiser's lips to perform at honourable events - Olympic bid, England's 2003 Rugby victory and the launch of Queen Mary 2.

With a new album well away, Heather has a little breather with Reminscin' as she relays on her involvement in her new venture and why a regime of vegetables and treadmills is a godsend!

You're notoriously remembered as the lead singer in M People - what ever happen to M People? (Laughs) Well, we said that we would take a break and the break just got extended and extended really. During that time I was asked if I wanted to do a solo album and I thought, if we are going to have a break then I will take that opportunity. It would be no kind of big deal because we were taking a break anyway, so it wasn't like I was going to stop M People to do something else.

Why did you decide to go solo?
I never really thought about doing the solo thing before. I was interested because I would be able to write more and to see if I could write from my own voice. Also be brave enough to stand on my own to say exactly how I feel without the support of the others. A testing of myself, because to be in a successful band and everything is going well, you can be in a comfortable place, but I didn't want comfortable to turn into complacency.

Is there a chance of reforming M People - A reunion tour or album? We did do a few dates last year that went really well. We were never officially broken up; I think it was because it was such a good period in our lives and such a successful period to sever ties completely.

M People sold 10 million records worldwide - now with your solo album on board; do you see yourself competing with your former success? I think it is different altogether as you're in a different place. When I was in M People I was a) younger and b) I wasn't a parent. You can dedicate so much time to your career and yourself, in particular. Thinking about another person is quite different when you're a mother. I mean, how can I compete with myself if I was apart of that and I think we were all a major part. I knew the success we had in the band was phenomenal, it was beyond our dreams, so I was in a position whereby I could record a solo album and afford to do it in many ways - emotionally and mentally. I had already proven myself as a singer and had some sort of success.

You always look glamorous and ravishing in your videos - how important is image and sex appeal to you especially in your videos? (Laughs ecstatically) sex appeal - that ain't important anymore! I never make a video and think oooh how sexy am I going to look (laughs), but you know you're upfront and I am female - those two things alone make you want to look good. I do consider what I am going to wear, for instance is it going to portray the sentiment of the song and definitely a sense of me. Primarily that is my concern, will people get a sense of me when they see those images. I would say I do like a bit of glamour, definitely. I grew up in an era, where I use to see Diana Ross on TV and Shirley Bassey, so I had this idea that things are glamorous - I do like that. It is also a celebration of being female. You can be so diverse when you are a female - the way that you look and the way you portray yourself. You have to have honesty about it all and be true to the song.

How much input or say do you have in visualising your videos? (Talks about her most recent video experience) well, luckily for me Phil the video director wanted to do the video. After having a meeting and hearing his scenario it was so what I wanted to achieve, without me having to break it down. He had an idea and so did I, and it was the same thing. I do have quite a bit of say definitely. On set especially with my age and experience you want to be happy, whatever the age really. I always wanted to be happy and feel in control. I wouldn't do anything that doesn't feel right.

Your recent video 'Radio On' you're sashaying about in a glitzy gold dress - when it comes to video outfits - do you get to choose what you wear? I choose what I wear all the time. I am not overly tall and so I can dress appropriately to so many things -my own personal taste. Definitely you have to choose what you wear. You also have to realise that the outfits are what I am going to wear throughout the day, so it is the situation of what you're most comfortable in.

In regards to outfits, how do you make that choice of what to wear for a live performance or when shooting a video? If I am going to be on stage or something and I am going to be singing live, like I said first and foremost it is about the singing and the performance and everything else is secondary. I have to choose an outfit that I am going to be able to perform in; I am not a static performer I am all over. Anything that I choose to wear has to represent me, but that is also good for me. For instance a live performance where you get hot and sweaty, you have to be able to breathe properly. Even though the shoes are high, they can't be too high!

I have to admit, heels are your trade mark-The heels you wore in 'Radio On' looked painfully high. Do you have practice runs? The shoes in 'Radio on', Oh no! Not painful at all!! I do like high heels. (Laughs) I do have practice runs with my heels before I go out on stage to make sure I can do that running up and down and everything.

From M People to your do-it-alone career - you haven't aged at all, how do you keep your self so fresh looking? (Laughs) you're making me laugh! I do look after myself and definitely there is a change. I don't think it is for the worse.

In this industry many artists fall victim to diets - how do you keep trim - do you diet at all? Work out? I am a vegan, I am teetotal and I don't smoke. I do look after myself, but it is not in a fanatical way. It's not like I don't eat chocolate or have any chips. I go to the gym Monday to Friday and have the weekend off for my boy. It is sort of like a discipline because I know what I want to sound like when I get on stage. I know by keeping myself in good condition it will help my performance. Like I said, I am quite an active performer, there is no way I want to go on stage and feel like I want to quit. I suppose with the way I look it is in the genes.

Are you TV/soap addict - what's your favourite sitcom? I don't have a favourite soap, but I do like 'House'. It is so good because he (Hugh Laurie) is so believable. We made that journey with him from comedian to American superstar. It is very admirable; I don't think he would have been able to make that transition if he had stayed in England.

Describe your ideal date for relaxation…Most probably I would start with the gym, I know it is crazy, but after the gym I do feel good. Book a tennis court and me and my boy will play. Meet my family, have a good lunch and stuff. Pack in a lot in a day, watch a film or something like that. Usually if I have got time I like to spend it with my family. I have a few good friends so it is with friends and family.

Where would you like to be in 10 years time? Still singing definitely. Not sure how many more CDs and stuff I'll make. I am all the tools in the toolbox, so that's where I would like to be.

You recently performed on Oprah - how was she like in person? Is she admirable as everyone makes her out to be? She is very dignified and she is very kind. You get a sense of her kindness and her warmth. There is something else that she does have, that common touch with people. When she was doing her show, she records two of these shows in a day; she came out to the audience before the recording started, just talking to the audience. This is a woman that has travelled such a road and she hasn't loss her sense of self or reality. That is the biggest thing I took away from her.

Who do you look up to? I do admire Oprah, but I really do admire Nelson Mandela and Maya Angelou. She is one women who has really travelled the world, when I read her book, 'I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings' I thought she has been through so much, but she still has got this warmth, kindness and love for people.

'Close to a miracle' is your new album - do you believe in miracles? Well, I have to say yes. I think that there are miracles that are god given and done by god. There are also miracles that are done by people with god working through them. We should try and implement much more of those kinds of miracles.

Related Links:
> www.heathersmall.com
> Heather Small CD - Amazon.co.uk