Kim Wilde: ‘I was trapped in a hotel corridor with just my knickers on’

Born in 1960, the daughter of Sixties singer-songwriter Marty, Kim Wilde found instant global superstardom in 1981 with her debut single Kids in America. Twenty-five top 50 UK singles, including You Keep Me Hangin’ on and Cambodia, followed and she became the most charted female singer of the 1980s. After a hiatus to have children Harry, 26, and 24-year-old Rose, with her ex-husband Hal Fowler, she successfully turned her hand to horticulture, presenting several gardening TV shows and winning a Gold Award at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2005. She now performs on the pop heritage circuit.

Best childhood memory?

When I was about 10, my music teacher, Mr Webster, asked me to play the part of Mary in the school play. He was someone I absolutely adored – he inspired every kid to pick up an instrument, even if they felt they had no musical talent. He made everyone feel empowered to get involved, and I loved him for that. Plus, he was a very charismatic and handsome man, which I, of course, noticed as well. About five years ago, his son reached out to me for a big birthday celebration, so I recorded a grown-up version of the song and sent it to him. Unfortunately, he’s no longer with us, but I’m glad I had the chance to tell him what a huge influence he had on me. Did I mention that I thought he was also incredibly attractive and charismatic? I might’ve kept that part to myself.

Best day of your life?

It doesn’t get any better than giving birth. I was spectacularly unprepared in many ways. I hadn’t gone to birthing lessons. I’d done very little reading. I just assumed that once I’d get to the hospital, everything would be fine. And then it wasn’t it. I was an older mother at 38 and things got tricky, but my body managed to give birth and it was the most beautiful, wonderful experience to hold my babies in my arms.

Best moment on stage?

My “Here Come the Aliens” Tour at Koko in Camden. My father, who hadn’t been to one of my gigs for a while, came and I’d gone fully into costume mode and ended up looking a bit like a space-age Barbarella. I launched myself into the album and the greatest hits and the whole place went absolutely crazy. I was so proud that my dad was there to see that because quite a few of the songs that we were performing that night were written by him and my brother. It felt like a real proper homecoming.

Best performance?

My brother Rick and I had been to a Magic FM Christmas party to do an acoustic set, and we were on the train going home and everyone looked a bit glum, so I said to Rick: “Come on, it’s Christmas. I’ve got antlers. You’ve got a guitar? Why don’t we just sing some songs and see what happens.” I remember Ricky looking at me and going, “Are you sure?” and I’m like, “Yeah, come on.” So that’s what we did and unbeknown to us, there was this charming girl filming the whole thing. And then it went viral, which was just something else. I remember thinking, “This is going to be an absolute disaster and it could literally bury my career overnight” – but it did exactly the opposite. It was so spontaneous, and fun-inspired, and I’m glad it happened. It went on to inspire a Christmas album and brought about a lot of really good things.

Best horticultural moment?

Gardening is my private passion now, but it became a public passion for several years. I stepped out of the music industry to have a family and that’s how it began. I thought, “I’ve got to learn about plants, because I want to make a garden for the kids.” So, I enroled at a local horticultural college to do a summer course. And that ended up with me doing a two-year City and Guilds course, where I learnt a hell of a lot. I then got asked to do TV programmes, and I just thought, “Well, why the hell not? I’m an unemployed pop star, let’s give TV gardening a go.” Then I ended up at Chelsea Flower Show, with my good friend Richard Lucas and we walked away with a gold medal for our courtyard garden.

Best personality trait?

My daughter said I’m very open minded and I would agree with her. When you have an open mind there’s so much more of the world to absorb and to enjoy and to experience.

Best decision you ever made?

Stopping drinking alcohol nine years ago has had a profound impact on my mental and physical health and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I gave it a good old session from when I was 15 or 16. I’d spent virtually half my life with it being a part of my life and I certainly did have lots of fabulous times with alcohol, but I’m in much better shape since I stopped.

Worst childhood memory?

When I was three, I had meningitis. I remember a pounding headache and a high fever, and then being rushed to the hospital. My parents were driving back from Liverpool, so we had someone looking after us, and they got me to the hospital. I vaguely remember having a lumbar puncture, and that’s the last thing I recall, but I survived it.

Worst moment of your life?

The brief moment when you lose sight of your child – it’s happened to me a few times as a parent, and I think every parent has been there. You suddenly look, and they’re not where you thought they were. It’s a terrifying, shocking feeling. It’s happened to me a couple of times, when I had no idea where they were. Without a doubt, the worst moments in life as a parent always involve your children.

Worst moment on stage?

My band and I were in Portugal, performing a few covers, one of which was Forever Young by Alphaville. We were a bit rusty, and chaos soon followed. I started the song in tune with the guitarist, but, for some reason – one we’ve never quite figured out – every other musician came in on a different key. It was absolutely terrifying, but I decided to just power through. There are photos floating around of the band with their backs to the audience, and just me up front, trying to salvage the situation. “Kim Wilde singing Forever Young” is somewhere on YouTube, but it’s now known as Forever Wrong. It’s painful to listen to.

Worst celebrity encounter?

I remember doing Top of the Pops when Jimmy Savile was hosting. My mum came with me to it and we both had a very uncomfortable feeling being around him and we kept our distance. Mum has mentioned it since, saying, “I knew he was a wrong ‘un.” She kept close by me during that show and looking back after everything that happened, I now realise she did me a big favour.

Worst drunken mistake?

In my drinking days I’d had one too many with a promoter who’d been buying rounds for me and the band all night. After a wild evening, I stumbled back to my hotel room. In the middle of the night, I woke up needing the bathroom, opened the door, and – somehow – ended up locked out in the corridor, completely naked. There I was, stranded in a brightly lit hotel hallway with very little on, desperately trying to figure out how to make it back to my room. I think I had a pair of knickers on and that was it. I had to run down to the lift and then edge my way out of it to see if I could see anyone at reception. The guy was absolutely horrified, gave me a key card and I slunk back to my room.

Worst personality trait?

Before I got my hearing aid, I used to talk much louder – years of being on stage with musicians cranking up their amps had left my ears a bit shot. I’d often misinterpret what people said and end up saying the wrong thing, which was usually funny but, over time, really irritated those around me. My family begged me to get hearing aids, which I found pretty humiliating at the time. But, honestly, they’ve been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I can hear things now – even the insects I once missed – and subtle sounds that I now really appreciate.

Worst advice you’ve ever received?

I’ve been fortunate in that regard and haven’t received much bad advice. I do remember when everyone was talking about Bitcoin, and someone suggested, “Do you fancy taking some Bitcoin instead of getting paid for the gig?” I just said, “No, I don’t.” I can’t recall who made the suggestion, but I definitely remember my firm, resounding “no”.

Kim Wilde tours the UK in March 2025 with support from Cutting Crew.