Date: 28 May 2025
Published in: The Times (UK)
Written by: Nick McGrath
The singer on touring with David Bowie, shouting at LBC presenters and why hearing Kids in America on the radio is still a vibe.
The eldest child of the Sixties pop star Marty, Wilde grew up in London and Hertfordshire. In 1980 she completed an art foundation course in St Albans; in 1981 she had a hit with her debut single, Kids in America, written by her father and brother. Wilde had 17 UK Top 40 singles in the 1980s, a record for a female solo artist. In the early 2000s she took up horticulture, going on to present TV shows such as the BBC’s Garden Invaders. She has two grown-up children and lives with her partner near Knebworth, Hertfordshire.
After winter I’m desperate for light, so I’ll often be found wandering in my garden before 7am — I don’t want to miss anything coming back to life. I’ll be 90 per cent observing: I watch how nature’s moving, then plan my interventions.
Breakfast is scrambled eggs with spinach, maybe some nuts and fruit, but no jam — I’m way healthier than I used to be. I’ve fine-tuned my diet since I hit 60.
I’ll have a proper coffee from the machine my son bought me for Christmas, and I’ll always embrace music in the morning. If one of my own songs comes on the radio that’s always a total vibe — hearing Kids in America leaves me as thrilled as the first time I heard it on Radio 1.
My son and daughter are still around a lot but at the centre of my universe are my Airedale terriers, Misty and Beau. If anything is wrong with them, everything stops. They’ve hijacked every sofa in the house.
Home life is calmer now than when I was growing up, when we’d often have pop stars in the house. Billy Fury was more of an evening cocktails guy than a breakfaster. He was a great nature lover and beautiful soul.
I’ll often tune into LBC — until I can’t bear it any more. The presenters ask some good questions but they all talk bollocks sometimes. I’ve texted in on many occasions, usually saying, “Are you sure? Have you fact-checked that?”
I’ve been quite outspoken in my time, but with age I’ve become more measured. I respect the power and impact of words. Talking in anger is a big mistake, which some politicians would do well to think about.
I’m touring the UK this year but it’s like chalk and cheese compared with my days on huge world tours supporting David Bowie and Michael Jackson. There’s very little glamour involved in trundling around in a splitter van. But what we care about is what happens on stage. It’s not Beyoncé, but there’s no less love poured into it.
I haven’t drunk alcohol for a decade, so post-show hedonism levels won’t be at Eighties or Nineties levels. I once ended up naked in a hotel corridor after a big knees-up: I snuck out of my room in the night and the door shut behind me. I had to slink down to the lobby to ask for a spare key, which was mortifying.
I’m still in love with singing, as is my dad. At 86 he has an incredible singing voice and loves to communicate with the audience. I love that connection too — and since I trained as a horticulturalist at Capel Manor College in Enfield, I feel it with plants as well. I might not sing to them, but I’ll pass comment if they’re doing well.
Lunch is usually hummus and fresh fruit or vegetables, cheese, occasionally M&S sourdough. Afternoons are about dog-walking and interacting with the people I love. I also like paddleboarding and walking.
People say I look good for my age — it’s all smoke and mirrors but I do jump in the cold pool in my garden every day with my mate Sue. It’s great for your skin and organs.
Evenings vary. I might go to a local pub or restaurant, or to the cinema — Conclave was really powerful and seductive. If I’m in, I’ll cuddle up on the sofa and watch a documentary — I saw a fascinating one on Gorbachev recently — or I’ll sneak in a Gavin & Stacey. I’ve watched Detectorists and Rev about three times now.
Before bed I have a hot bath and then meditate to Ommadawn by Mike Oldfield. In bed I’ll reflect peacefully on what I’ve achieved that day, what I could have done better, then sleep incredibly soundly.
Words of wisdom
Best advice I was given
My parents told me to trust my instincts and I always have — they’ve never let me down
Advice I’d give
Watch your thoughts and watch your words
What I wish I’d known
Alcohol is very overrated
