Pop Idol: meet the judges

What's it like to be working with your fellow judges again?
It's great. I can't believe it's been nearly two years since we did the first auditions. But it's great fun to be back on the road. And nobody has changed

But you've been working hard and doing lots of different things?
Yes, I think everybody's been doing different things. I'm still working at 19 with Simon Fuller. I've been presenting for BBC1 as well, which is fantastic.

How are you getting on with the judges so far? Have there been any arguments?
Definitely. We had an argument about a chap who wasn't particularly good looking but had the most amazing voice. We've also argued about various shapes and sizes, whether they should go through because they do have amazing voices, whether or not they have a commercial enough look. Yesterday Simon Cowell agreed with me which, I think, is a first.

Have you spotted anyone that you would like to be your idol yet?
I don't know. I'm not sure yet to be honest. We've seen some brilliant talent. But people change. And normally people who you think have been amazing, we've since found out aren't always. Who would have thought Darius would have come third? Who knows? But I think it's better than the first series. There are more characters and more variety and some great singers.

I suppose you see all different types of talent coming through wanting to be seen?
Yes, it's not just pop that we've seen, we've seen different genres of music as well, which is great. It's not so out and out boy band looking types.

Are there any songs emerging as popular ones?
Oleta Adams, Stevie Wonder and Ronan Keating. There are very, very few current pop songs, which says a lot about the current state of the pop industry. They're nearly all older tunes. Anything that's been in the last ten years. We're not seeing a lot from the last two years.

Do you think being a judge may be different this time around now you've got experience? I think it's a lot harder this time round. We've seen so many people now and we've raised our game and expect them to do the same.

Any favourite and worst moments so far?
I think one of the funniest ones was a guy called Chris Neville Smith, a professor, a real boffin, or spod as Neil calls him. He's just finished his PhD and he's an eccentric but brilliant entertainment. He has to be one of my favourites for the wrong reasons!

What's the difference talent wise between this year and last year?
I think we're seeing better talent through the doors actually. People have realised that we're looking for someone really special, and the standard has definitely gone up.

Catch Pop Idol on Saturday evenings on ITV1 and ITV2.