I would just like to say that opera is no longer about fat people in breastplates shattering wine glasses.

Seeing that made me understand how profound the drama of opera was and how music theatre is the most powerful audiovisual form there is.

Opera is credible drama now, and it costs less than going to a football match. What have you got to lose?

If you say you're fat, all of a sudden people like you!

It worries me that young singers think you can shortcut the training and go straight to fame and fortune, and programmes like Pop Idol have encouraged that.

I had this exceptional classical music voice. If I'd followed a true path for my talent, I would have ended up being an opera singer.