Swindon Lives - Chico - Boogie Nights Special

It's Chico Time! Find out what the former X Factor favourite and Boogie Nights star had to say, when we sat him down for a chat.

Boogie Nights is set in the seventies but if you could visit any period in time, when would it be and why?

That’s a good question my friend, I think I’d have to say the 1950’s during the height of Elvis Mania! For me that was the real beginning of pop culture.

Do you ever get bored of people asking you what time it is?

Are you kidding me? How could I ever get bored of putting a smile of someone’s face? I love it.

The X Factor catapulted you to fame back in 2005 but If you could do it all again, would you do anything differently?

The only thing that I would do differently is make my own choices. Looking back I wish I’d stuck to my guns more and made my own career decisions instead of letting other people make them for me.

When you’re not on stage, how do you like to spend your spare time?

Simple.  I like to spend my spare time with my family, with my friends and with my spirituality.

What is the most important decision you’ve ever had to make?

Don’t laugh at me for what I’m about to tell you. But the biggest decision I have ever had to make, was marrying my wife.  She was my best friend at the time and we weren’t evening dating, but I spoke with my spiritual guide and he told me, “Chico, you have to marry this girl” and do you know what, I did and we lived happily ever after.

Who is the most famous person in your phonebook?  

Errmm, I think it would probably have to be Simon Cowell…he’s pretty famous I guess.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My Grandfather always told me “Be good all of the time, don’t be bad any of the time. But if you are bad some of the time, you have to do double the good for the rest of the time”

Failing that “Be true to yourself”

Who’s your idol and why?

This depends whether we’re talking creatively or not. In general my idols are world leaders, prophets, saint’s - people who have changed history. So we’re talking, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Bob Marley and Mohammed Ali.

Describe yourself in 3 words…

I am that

Basically I’m a spirit having a human experience.

In the papers this morning there was speculation about Tulisa getting the boot from The X Factor. Is joining The The X Factor judging panel something you would consider?

This would be my dream job! Without sounding big headed, I would be brilliant at it! Seeing some of the judges on the current panel I know I could do such a better job than them! It’s all about charm, charisma and being able to relate to the contestants during the incredible journey they’re on.

Boogie Nights will run at the Wyvern Theatre from Monday 15th of April to Saturday 20th of April 2013.

Book tickets today at wyverntheatre.org.uk or by calling the Ticket Office on 01793 524 481.