FEELING a little fragile after a hard night's partying with fellow contestants on ITV's Reborn In The USA, former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley wakes for an early interview.

Not that such routines are unfamiliar to him, having toured the world over with his troupe of chart-conquering 80s new romantics which brought fame and fortune in excess.

Speaking from his Nashville hotel room, he spoke candidly of life on the road with the latest Pop Idol spin-off and reflects on glories past.

While the current adventure is a million miles from living the high life with his old bandmates, despite the odd moment, he seems to be getting a kick out of it, as are audiences.

"It's been good fun and we are having a great time," he says. "For the first couple of weeks there were various shenanigans going on, but I am just trying to enjoy it.

"I did Walking In Memphis the other week coming in on the wrong timing, which you may have seen me smile about. You have to have a good time with it, setting up for a two-minute song that you could annihilate!"

Just what exactly was going on with the hilarious feud between Sonia and Dollar, which led to the dance duo being booted off the show at the first hurdle?

"It did get heated which I didn't understand - if you get voted off then you go, just don't take it too seriously. I think there was some stuff (slating Dollar) which should not have been put on the website though .

"Things have been good since, we went out line dancing, but I couldn't handle it! When we are not doing anything with the show we have gone out with the whole crew of about 15. It's a holiday really."

Such exotic destinations were not an option for the young Tony growing up in London's Islington. Though he says that he is happiest when in a studio or performing, he joked that his ambitions once lay in becoming a surgeon!

"I got into music seriously when I was about 12 when my uncle bought me my first record, The World Of David Bowie. My mum then gave me a tape recorder which I started singing on. From there I started doing competitions when I was on holiday at places like Pontins."

Forming a school band (including EastEnders star Martin Kemp), they went through four name changes and three bass players before arriving at Spandau Ballet.

Did he ever believe they would be a success with their first album?

"I could not believe it - when you are that young (age 20) you just pick up the vinyl in your hands and when you realise you actually made it, it is fantastic. We never expected it to go top five, and were thinking 'please don't let it be a one-hit wonder.'

"I always had a feeling that things were going to be good either solo or with the band, but I cannot explain it. There's been a lot of heartache as this is not an easy business.

"We had some good fun, but I have learned to appreciate it more now. When you are younger, time just flies by, but now I have a little more time to think about things and appreciate the position I am in."

At the peak of their fame, the media made much of a supposed bitter rivalry between fellow new romantics Duran Duran, which he says was simply not true. However, as with any career, he conceded there is competition.

Swiftly building on their underground success, they built a worldwide following with several hit albums during one of music's most decadent eras.

On their eventual acrimonious split (they are still not talking) resulting in high-profile court cases, he said it was a result of them "growing in different directions".

Taking a leap of faith with his his solo career, he admitted that his debut record was "the wrong album", which he eventually recovered from after setting up his own company.

Film appearances, forays into dance music and touring alongside Joe Cocker, and perhaps more unlikely, rock legend Alice Cooper, have kept him more than occupied. An "immensely fun" 80s stadium tour alongside Belinda Carlisle and ABC followed last year.

At 42, and living in Muswell Hill, he says his wife has been a great support during his rollercoaster ride: "Leonie has been very understanding, putting up with me all these years, that's quite a feat for anyone! We got married on a Saturday and I went on tour on the Monday, that's how it's pretty much been ever since.

"We have three kids, my daughter Toni, Tom and the youngest, Mack, who miss me when I'm not around, but that's my life."

When he manages to tear himself away from the music, he has a "great laugh" playing football in Arsenal celebrity charity matches, eating out with the family and socialising.

Does he have a defining moment so far? "When True went to number one it was like wow, and playing Live Aid was fantastic and an incredible experience. Those two would have to be my highlights."

Anticipating his return for the UK shows, including The Anvil, Basingstoke, on May 8 and Aldershot's Princes Hall on May 2, he promises a top night out with a mix of classic Spandau songs and new tracks from his forthcoming album.

As for the task in hand, he said: "I don't want to be presumptuous, especially as some of the material has been unfamiliar territory so far, but I'm going to be doing power ballads now which suits me down to the ground."