Pop Idol: meet the judges

What's it like to be back working with your fellow judges again?
It really is great fun. We had a great time last time. People said to me, 'Was it really fun?' and I have to say 'Yes'. We all get on very, very well. We don't always agree, but it's been a blast! There's a comfort factor. We know it worked last time and it's working well again this time. We're all very different people but we know our stuff and it just works.

Tell us about some argument...
Arguments always happen. We're all very different people and everyone's got a valid view and we can't all agree. No one is necessarily right and no one is wrong. I may see what someone else doesn't see. But between us we have something like 100 years experience in music and entertainment and know what we are on about. It is why contestants may hate us sometimes but hopefully always respect our opinions. But sometimes Pete goes totally mad and Simon goes way over the line and they need to be told so! Mind you I dig myself into some deep holes as well and they love to make it worse for me.

Do you think you've seen your Pop Idol yet?
We may have done. I think last time we were a bit more sure. But if we are honest I only really remembered Gareth because he was the cute kid with the good voice who had the terrible stammer. Will only made it through because we were down on guys. He did a very lacklustre audition and he looked like a total scruff. But he could obviously sing as the show went on he just got better and better. So you can't always judge the book by its cover.

Do you think the talent is better or worse this year?
I've got to be honest; it's quite hard because one day ends up blurring into the next. We've seen some very good people, and we've seen some unbelievable crud, and we've seen some real characters. And you need all of that to make this a great TV show.

Have you noticed any popular songs emerging?
Yes, it's really weird. But one song that people are singing - and they all seem to be about 18 or 19 - is Carole King's You've Got a Friend. And we're trying to work out whether it's part of the national curriculum or whether people doing music studies have been studying Carole King. It's weird that all these people are turning up and singing this song. It's a song from the 70's before these people were even born. A lot of guys are attempting Justin Timberlake songs as well?.bad mistake but wicked TV!

Have you seen any really bad performances so far?
Oh yes, many actually. Truly astounding bad ones! I'd prefer to say "entertainingly bad" because they've been nice people though.

If you were auditioning, what song would you sing?
One of my favourite artists was Elvis Presley. Now he was a true Pop Idol. A total superstar. I would love to try and do one of his songs but I know I would be shite! I would give a great performance but I can't sing?.that's why I am involved in the making of hits rather than singing them!

Catch Pop Idol on Saturday evenings on ITV1 and ITV2.