Rick Astley takes poignant look back on his career, Bond songs and future hopes: “I’m just getting more emotional as I get older”

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There are a few candidates to be the nicest guy in music, but Rick Astley is surely up there.

Rick Astley, a singer-songwriter from Lancashire, truly defines the sound of the 1980s. His hit song, “Never Gonna Give You Up,” is so iconic that it ensures his lasting legacy in pop music history.

Honestly, after a long break, seeing Rick Astley come back was amazing. He hadn’t lost a thing – his voice was incredible, he still had that fantastic hair, and he totally won over a whole new generation of fans. It was a real comeback!

Rick Astley has become a beloved figure in the UK, whether he’s wowing crowds at festivals like Glastonbury, touring successfully, or continuing to release new music.

I just watched Rick Astley on Dermot O’Leary’s Reel Stories, and it was so moving! He was looking back at old videos from throughout his career, and honestly, it really got to him – he seemed super sentimental watching it all.

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Rick Astley while he was promoting his new project, Reel Stories, and looking ahead to his exciting 2026 tour of the UK and Ireland. We talked about everything – his incredible career, what he hopes to achieve going forward, and even what he’s been enjoying on television. It was a really insightful conversation!

So, Rick, you took part in Dermot O’Leary’s Reel Stories. Have you managed to see it yet?

I experienced it firsthand, and I’m not sure I want to relive it. It was a great experience, but also quite moving. I wasn’t totally unprepared for that feeling, though. It reminded me of George Clooney’s film, Jay Kelly – the way it suddenly throws you into key moments and makes you realize they’re some of the best times of your life.

It was a really emotional experience. Honestly, I find myself more affected by things that happened in the past few years than when I was younger and things were just starting. That’s probably because it’s been a long time, and my memories, while vivid, are likely colored by both good and bad experiences. It’s easier to connect with more recent events, and I’m just becoming more sentimental as I get older – it’s that simple.

Do you feel like you enjoy those experiences more as you get older? When you’re younger, life often feels rushed and things just happen to you without much reflection.

It’s something many of us don’t really consider. As you get older, you become more aware of your own mortality. It makes you want to really appreciate and focus on meaningful experiences. I’ve been thinking a lot about this, especially since many of my friends and I are getting older. You start to realize each moment might be the last time you get to do certain things with people you care about. Because of that, I’m making a conscious effort to be fully present and engaged in everything I do.

When you’re young, you just go for it, and that’s exactly what you should do. I’ve always believed music is best left to the young, and I still feel that way. It’s crucial for new artists to emerge and challenge those of us who’ve been around a while, to show everyone what’s fresh and exciting.

As you get older, you start to truly value those intense, challenging times. When you look back on the past decade, it’s amazing how much has happened – things you never would have expected. I’ve learned to hold on and really appreciate those experiences for what they are.

I wanted to tell you, your voice is still incredibly powerful. And your hair looks fantastic! It’s rare to see that in men. Do you think it’s just good fortune?

I’ve always considered myself lucky when it comes to things like drugs. I enjoy a drink – a glass of wine or a couple of beers – but I’m not a heavy drinker. Occasionally, I’ll have a bigger night, but I definitely don’t picture myself being the person who’s out late with the band, needing to be pulled from a bar by the tour manager.

On my first real tour, I quickly learned you can’t sing and party at the same time. The rhythm section can usually manage both, but as the singer, it’s impossible to perform well the next day. I remember one festival where a performer cancelled, and it turned out they’d been out all night at a club, which explains everything.

I’ve generally taken care of myself, which might not sound very exciting, but trust me, when you’re about to perform, you definitely don’t want to be worrying about the consequences of overdoing it the night before.

I’ve always admired how you’ve embraced “Never Gonna Give You Up,” even though some artists might try to distance themselves from a song that defines their early career. It’s become such an iconic piece of music! I’m really curious – has your own feeling about the song changed at all over the years, or how you view its place in your work?

To be honest, I’ve likely sung that song enough times. When I was 27, I decided it was okay if I never performed it again. It’s not that I dislike the song, I just sang it so much that I felt I could move on.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have had that song, and looking back, that’s even clearer now. Even when it first came out, I hoped we could build on its success, but I soon realized that wasn’t going to happen. It became obvious after a few years that it would always be our biggest hit. It was a massive, unexpected success – it just exploded onto the scene and became a real phenomenon.

I was amazed by how far that song took me. I’ve traveled to places I never imagined, and it’s strange to experience a kind of instant recognition. It’s like people knew who I was even before I’d arrived or spoken to anyone. Being recognized in the airport, even before I’d officially ‘arrived’ anywhere, was a really bizarre feeling to process at 21 years old.

Now that you’ve come back and achieved so much, what goals or dreams are you still hoping to accomplish?

I’ve really enjoyed performing in swing shows over the past few years. It’s just a lot of fun, and I work with a fantastic group of people. I often find myself traveling to different venues for regular performances and thinking, ‘This would be the perfect spot for a swing show!’ – especially when it’s somewhere beautiful, like by a lake.

Many people connect with these classic songs, and there’s a good reason why. When you perform them with a large band or orchestra, the audience often feels a personal connection because those songs were the soundtrack to their parents’ lives. For me, it wasn’t about Frank Sinatra or the original artists; I learned these songs from my dad singing them around the house. They’re his songs to me, because of those memories.

I’m a huge fan of RAYE, and I’m just blown away by her ability to pull off these really grand, orchestral sounds – it’s so glamorous! Seeing her do that, I think, ‘Wow, she’s incredible!’ She’s so young and at the peak of her career, but she has this power to create something that feels timeless. It honestly feels like she could have been a star back in the 1950s! That’s what I find so special about her work – she’s creating her own moment, and it doesn’t feel tied to any specific era. When someone like me, an older artist, tries something similar, it just feels…different. It comes across as nostalgia, like I’m just performing songs I grew up with. It’s not the same fresh energy at all.

If she did an album of old classic standards, would you feature, if you could?

It seems like she’s getting a lot of attention right now! And yes, I’m absolutely going to the concert.

RAYE is one of the favourites to sing a Bond song. Would you do a Bond song if you could?

Honestly, I believe a lot of people would take on this challenge. It’s a tough act to follow, considering how many incredible performances there have been. The songs by Sam Smith, Billie Eilish, and Adele were all particularly strong, in my opinion.

I was on a road trip with a friend, and for some reason, whenever Adele’s ‘Skyfall’ came on the radio, he’d jokingly sing ‘A trifle and an apple crumble’ instead of the actual lyrics. Now, every time I hear ‘Skyfall,’ I can’t help but sing that silly phrase too! I always tease him about it, because I really do love that song, and he ruined it for me in the best way (laughs).

They’ve consistently captured the classic Bond sound and feel in their songs, and I don’t think they’ve ever missed the mark. While I’d be interested in working on a Bond theme, I recognize there’s a lot of competition – probably thousands of other talented people are also in the running, and that’s perfectly fine with me.

You’ve got your own live tour coming up in 2026. How are you feeling about going back on the road?

Even now, I still get a real thrill from performing, and nothing compares to that feeling. Having hit records is fantastic – it’s why I’m even speaking with you today, thanks to a song I had in 1987. But honestly, the life around it can be a bit rough. You spend a lot of time waiting in uncomfortable dressing rooms, picking at food you don’t even enjoy, just because you need to eat something. But then the lights go down, and everything clicks. That moment on stage is still the most rewarding and special thing for me.

These days, movies about musicians and famous people are incredibly popular. It makes you wonder, if someone were to make a movie about your life, who would play you?

I think Jack Lowden, who’s in Slow Horses, would be a great choice – I saw him in a play recently and he was fantastic. I like him on screen, but the role really needs someone with a bit of Celtic heritage, which I have, and he’s got amazing hair, so that’s a plus! He’s also very good-looking. You always aim high, don’t you?

So, Rick, as representatives of TopMob, what TV shows are your absolute favorites – the ones you could never stop watching, no matter what?

“I’d say Match of the Day.

Looking back, Top of the Pops really delivered on its promise. While making the show was a little chaotic, it was fantastic to watch. It was exactly what it needed to be – short, energetic, and a perfect snapshot of the current UK pop music scene.

“Slow Horses” is a truly outstanding show. It’s a reminder that television is really raising the bar, often surpassing what we see in movies and demanding attention. The acting and directing are top-notch, and with increasingly large budgets, these shows look fantastic and are beautifully made.

I’ve really enjoyed that show – it’s been consistently great. I haven’t had a single bad reaction to an episode. Gary Oldman is phenomenal, of course, but the entire cast delivers fantastic performances.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You can now watch Dermot O’Leary interview Rick Astley on BBC iPlayer as part of the ‘Reel Stories’ series. Plus, tickets are on sale for Rick Astley’s upcoming ‘The Reflection Tour’.

Authors

Lewis KnightNews and Trends Editor

Lewis leads news and trending content at TopMob, ensuring we deliver what our audience wants. He’s a huge TV and movie buff, especially devoted to Nicole Kidman, but also loves science fiction, independent films, and current HBO shows. With a background in Psychology and a Masters in Film Studies, Lewis previously worked in advertising and then spent three years at The Mirror, where he focused on community engagement, SEO, and reporting on showbiz, film, and television.

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2026-02-12 19:41