Interview: Heather Small's London

Heather Small's London
Singer Heather Small fronted the hugely popular band M People in the 90s and now has a successful solo career.

Heather recently danced her way into the eighth week of BBC TV show Strictly Come Dancing. Her solo single, Proud, is the official anthem to the London Olympic Games in 2012.

Q: Where in London do you live?
A: Maida Vale – it's a very pretty area and I love walking and the canal.

Q: Where did you last eat out in London?
A: E&O in Portobello. It's private enough to have meetings there, the food is nice and they cater for my dietary requirements [Heather follows a vegan diet]. It's also a great setting.

Q: Where do you think serves the best London breakfast?
A: It's got to be Eat and Two Veg in Marylebone – they have good vegetarian options like meat-free sausages.

Q: What's the best music venue in London?
A: Ronnie Scott's. I love both performing and watching acts there. You get some big names playing and in such an intimate venue, you always get something special.

Q: What's the best party you've been to in London?
A: Grace Jones at the Roundhouse. It was actually a gig, but it felt like a party! I was right at the front, surrounded by her hardcore fans, it was awesome.

Q: What's your favourite London icon?
A: The South Bank. It's beautiful and attracts lots of different people but they all share a common interest – it has a very artistic feel.

Q: What's your favourite shop in London?
A: For boutique shopping, Stella McCartney. But my favourite department store is Selfridges – you can get anything you want in there. It's huge, you could spend the whole day and even have lunch there.

Q: What's your favourite hidden gem in London?
A: The Tricycle Theatre – they do theatre, art and cinema. It has just the right balance of being artsy but community-based.

Q: What makes you feel "Proud" of London?
A: The mixture of people we have here and the way people are so willing to mix with each other – I don't think any other city in the world has that as much as London does.