Date: 21 December 2024
Published in: Daily Record (UK)
Written by: Angela Wintle
The 64-year-old singer shares her memories of her first Top Of The Pops appearance in 1981 and reveals who her favourite actress is.
Hi Kim! what have you been enjoying on TV recently?
I’ve been binge-watching Wicked little letters [available on streaming services], based on the true story of the littlehampton poison-pen scandal of 1920. it stars Olivia Colman as prim and proper spinster Edith Swan. Olivia is an astonishing actor. I found the drama fascinating because it mirrors the trolling on social media today. People will always find a way to be cruel.
Any other favourites?
I’ve finally watched Rev. – the BBC sitcom that follows the misadventures of inner-city priest Adam Smallbone [Tom Hollander]. it’s a masterpiece. Olivia Colman is brilliant in this too as Adam’s wife. I love how she supports her husband but equally gets on with her own life and doesn’t take any nonsense from him. There’s also something lovely about Adam’s tortured relationship with God. I think that reflects most of us.
What’s your all-time favourite boxset?
The BBC comedy series i go back to again and again is the Detectorists, starring Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones as two eccentric metal detectorists. It’s enchanting and beautifully shot. I love how they take the time to focus on a beautiful wild flower, bee or butterfly.
And there’s a big emphasis on love, friendship and community spirit.
Can you remember your first Top Of the Pops appearance?
Yes, it was in 1981 when i performed my debut single Kids in America [which peaked at no. 2 in the UK charts]. i looked like i was being really cool but actually i was terrified. i wore a striped satin top i’d bought at a jumble sale, a black dinner jacket borrowed from my dad [Marty Wilde] and a pair of tight jeans i’d nicked from Mum. I’d cut my hair myself because i was fresh out of art college and couldn’t afford a hairdresser.
What can you tell us about your upcoming tour and album?
It’s called the Closer tour and i’ll be performing hits from my 1988 hit album Close. We’ll be augmenting it with songs from my upcoming sister album Closer, which comes out at the end of January. it’s going to be a banger of a tour with me and my fantastic band. My brother Ricky will be on guitar and my niece on backing vocals.
Kim Wilde tours the UK from March 2025 with support from Cutting Crew. tickets are on sale now at kimwilde. com
