The Hollyoaks Music Show with Matalan

"Biggest selling male singles artist of the year"? That's very impressive. How did that come about?

You know what... I think people just like the music! Nah, I don’t know how that came about. It was crazy to find out that I've sold over a million in a year, but there's been a lot of hard work involved and I just keep on expanding with the sound. People just keep relating and connecting with it and it feels good!

When you wrote the number one 'Number One' did you ever think this will look a bit embarrassing if only gets to number two?

Yeah! When people were asking me what I was recording and I was like 'Number One' they were questioning whether it would get to number one when I wasn’t even thinking about that. I was confident though.

Amelle Berrabah from the Sugababes featured on another one of your number ones, 'Never Leave You', pre-the Keisha split. Did Amelle ever let on to the in-fighting happening inside the Sugababes camp?

No. I couldn't tell there was anything going on at all. When that song got to number one, we went out to celebrate and Keisha came with Amelle and they were alright together.

'You're Not Alone' is a sample from the 1997 smash by dance group Olive. In 1997 you were 10 years old. Is that the type of music you listened to back then?

Yeah. When I was recording the track I recognized the track, but I didn't know anything about Olive. I wasn't into that type of music, but that song was always memorable for me when I was growing up.

I picked up on a couple of quotes about you from the press: Financial Times said: "The UK's barbeque summer may have fizzled out, but at least we have its soundtrack."
With that in mind, which of your songs most suits burning a beef burger?

Let me think... Off the album there's a track called 'Spotlight', so if anything's hot and sizzling it'll be happening under the 'Spotlight'.

Independent On Sunday said: "If grime was the football world, Tinchy Stryder would be like your Michael Owens and Wayne Rooneys of today."
Which footballer would you say you're like?

Yep. Wayne Rooney. I'm a Man United fan.

And what Hollyoaks character would you say you're like?

Well, I don’t really watch Hollyoaks, so I can’t really answer that.

Maybe I could assign you character. What are your characteristics?

I'm quite laid-back and maybe slightly sneaky.

Rhys? He's a bit of a ladies man...

Yep. That's me!

There's a particularly arty shot of the Tinch-mesiter in the Episode Three Gallery that'll take your breath your way!

Exclusive interview with episode three's Hollyoaks mentor, Claire Cooper available on the Matalan microsite...