Becoming famous, she says, was an “odd thing”, with one of the many weird aspects of becoming a pop star was that it gave people permission to make comments about her to her face.

Too much has been made, she says, of the fact that she was a shy character. “I always had a strong sense of confidence as well. I didn’t want to be a generic pop act.”

In fact, she felt so strongly about the merger of music and celebrity, she removed herself from the arena almost completely.

She’d sold 25m records worldwide, won a clutch of Brit awards and performed at Live Aid in 1985 – and went into semi- seclusion.

“I put my foot down and that was a year of locking the door,” she says, but qualifies it quickly adding: “It gives the impression that all my life I was this tormented character. But it was a year or maybe two in my 20s.

“I was agoraphobic and a bit lost. This celebrity world had just opened and I couldn’t pretend I was part of it. I couldn’t go to places I liked because I couldn’t relax there any more.

“It happened because I became famous, very famous, overnight.

“Because I was always recognisable, I couldn’t morph into a different look and I didn’t want to go to exclusive clubs where people didn’t care. I liked hanging round with my mates, but that became impossible to do.”

The idea of celebrity doesn’t appeal to her at all.

“I’m a cheap date. I don’t care for possessing things or one- upmanship.

“The people I get excited about are the people I grew up with. My best mate I’ve known since I was seven and we lived on the same council estate. We had our kids together and go on holiday together.”

Nor has she suddenly bought into the obsession with size.

“I liked my a--e,” she offers. “It was very comfortable to sit on. I didn’t want to be an obese old lady. I wasn’t worried about other people focusing on my weight because it has always happened.

“Knowing my luck, it will all go back on again anyway.”

ALISON MOYET performs at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on December 12.

Tickets cost from £25 and are available from the box office on 0151 709 3789.