It was his first gig in Southampton in nearly two years and the Daily Echo was the only newspaper to get an interview with him. NOEL DAVIES talked exclusively to Southampton's Craig David about love, life, money and women..!

It's your first gig in the city for nearly two years. How does it feel to be back home?

"It's great to come back here, especially because we used to play football on the Common when I was a kid. It's always great to do Power in the Park, it's a great event."

Do you think it will be another two years before you perform here?

"Hopefully not. I've been working hard on the new album since the last time I was here. Sometimes it's just nice to take a step back from the performing. Now after working hard on the new album I feel I have achieved something and I'm ready to start performing again."

What's the new album called?

"It's called The Story Goes. We're going to release it in the middle of August. I think it's another chapter in my life. It brings me back to things how they used to be when I was starting off. There's a lot of good memories there for me."

Back in April it was five years to the day that you had your first solo number one with Fill Me In. How do you look back on those years?

"You know it's good to take a side step and look at what's gone on around you and ask yourself what am I doing and what kind of music do people like from me and what kind of music do I want. Now I feel like I am a bit more confident and that I've matured a lot."

Tell us about the new album. You recorded it in Eling at former Artful Dodger star Mark Hill's studio.

"I wouldn't say there is a change in style. There has always been a close relationship between me and Mark Hill. We've been working on this album together and keeping the songs at the forefront and not the production. Lyrically I've taken a little detour in direction compared to the first two albums. It's definitely the best I've done."

You've sold millions of albums and have quite a healthy bank account! What's the biggest luxury you've splashed out on?

"Buying a home was one of the important things I wanted to put my money in, which I've done. That's made me happy because I've got something of my own to go back to."

What's the house like?

"It's cool. Being a 23-year-old, ooh 24-years-old now, and owning my own place up in London you know is just amazing. Five or six years ago if you told me I would have my own pad in London I would have been just totally amazed."

You've dated some high-profile ladies over the last few years. Is there anyone special at the moment?

"At the moment my album has been my love interest. You know if it makes a lot of people happy then I'll be really happy too. That's all I'm focussed on at the moment."