Lisa Jewell meets Michelle McManus

Lisa Jewell: What does it feel like to see your face plastered on to every brick wall in the country?

Michelle: Surreal. It was weird, because I didn't realise just how many posters BMG had put up of me around the country. I walked past a whole wall of them when my single came out, and this passer-by saw them and then looked at me and just did a double-take. LJ: On Pop Idol, Pete Waterman said he could find a better singer than you in any karaoke bar in the country. Did you ever get that slightly nauseous feeling of wanting to kill him with your bare hands?

MM: Who, Pete Waterman? Oh, my God, no! You've just got to take one look at Pete Waterman and you don't take him seriously - he's the most random bloke I've ever met in my life. But Pop Idol is a TV show and he is TV gold.

LJ: Whenever I watch any kind of competition, my immediate reaction when they call out the name of the winner is to look at the loser. Were you even aware that Mark, the runner-up, was there when they called our your name out at the end of 'Idol'?

MM: I was totally aware. I love Mark to death, and I knew exactly how he must be feeling. But we were both winners when we walked out there for the final. No matter what happened, Mark would have been there for me - and I'm there for Mark.

LJ: Have you always had such a healthy body image?

MM: Well, I've always been a pretty secure person. People sometimes say, 'How can you be big and happy? You can't be happy this way.' But being happy is nothing to do with being big.

LJ: So if you could go back in time and tell your 15-year-old self one thing, what would it be?

MM: I think I would say, 'Just believe in yourself a bit more'. I always wanted to be a singer, but because of the way I look, I did actually kind of resign myself to the fact that it wouldn't happen.

LJ: You strike me as the sort of girl who should have a backing band. Once you're free of the Pop Idol machinery, would you consider putting one together? And if so, Michelle & the...?

MM: Michelle & the Winos... 'cos I love my wine!

LJ:When did you last get drunk? And what on?

MM: I'm drunk every day! I'm Scottish, I love my drink! No, I was last drunk on Tuesday night, because all the contestants from Pop Idol met up for a photoshoot and then we went back to the hotel and got absolutely plastered. I was drinking Jack Daniels and Diet Coke.

LJ: You worked as a manager at a big hotel. What kind of boss were you? And did you get a nice leaving present?

MM: I tried to be fair but it wasn't always easy because of my age. I was a 22, 23-year old manager with staff the same age. I actually got about four or five leaving presents, because I kept leaving then coming back!

LJ: I changed my mind about being a famous pop star when I realised that it meant I'd never be able to get on the Tube again. How are you adjusting to losing your anonymity?

MM: You know, that's the only thing I'm finding difficult. My mum and dad came down to London at the weekend to see me, and I was going to get the Tube over to meet them, but it's almost impossible. It's brilliant, because everyone's so lovely - all they want to do is to come up to you, congratulate you, kiss you and hug you - but it's hard when you're trying to get somewhere. I just end up taking cabs everywhere.

LJ:When did you last shout at someone?

MM: I shouted at my mum and dad yesterday! My mum had a camera and even she started taking pictures and I was like 'What are you doing?' and she was like 'Oh, I just want some pictures of my daughter,' and I went 'Mum! For God's sake!'

LJ: A strange side effect of sudden success is the sense that if you can succeed in one field then it might well be worth trying to succeed in another. Any unfulfilled ambitions? MM: Err... breakdancing. That sounds weird, but I actually think probably breakdancing.

LJ: You've said that you'd be cool if it all ended tomorrow, but as the weeks go by, do you still feel the same way?

MM: Well, I come from a TV show, and I've seen acts like Hear'Say come and go, so I'm aware of the pitfalls. So yes, I like to think so.

· A Friend of the Family (Penguin) by Lisa Jewell is published 12 February. Michelle's debut album The Meaning Of Love (BMG) is released 16 February