Hi Roland! Thanks for doing another interview for Ratfans.com.  Let’s get started with the questions…

Ratfans.com:- 25 years in Showbiz is a brilliant achievement. Talk us through some of the highs, and lows, of the last quarter of a century of entertaining.
Roland:- Being a multi talented geni-arse is a hard cross to bear, but  I’ve always been prepared to suffer for my art. However, l never  ‘ave yeahhhhh!!! I’ve had a FAB time made millions, entertained the masses and had one big party...what could be better? From those early days at TV-AM up on the roof with me first series l knew I’d be around forever cus I’m marvellous stands to reason don’t it yeahhhh! When those hundreds of letters started pourin’ in l knew l was set on the path for superstardom. The BBC loomed so did Channel 5 and Channel 4 and just about every other channel you can think of so l’ve moved around a bit over 25 years! This year I’ve had a fab time appearin’ on loads of different TV and radio....rehab is not an option for this superstar yeahhhhh!!
 

You must be thrilled to see hundreds of Ratfans getting back together, this time on the World Wide Web. What does it feel like to know that, even after 25 years, you are still loved by the masses?
The web is a fantastic place for old and new Ratfans to talk directly to yours truly on a one to one... what could be better, l just wish that we had been able to use the web in the 80’s now wouldn’t that have been cool? Hearing Ratfans stories about how l affected their lives when they were kids in either times of need or just being there every day for ‘em makes me really proud cus that is all l’m here for .....to entertain my beloved Ratfans yeahhhhh!

Kevin and Errol must be pleased to communicate with their fans too. How are the rest of the gang? Reggie still misbehaving?!
The gang are a solid bunch we stick together and support each other, even though half of ‘em are totally useless!!! Kev loves Facebook, Errol can’t see the point and Little Reggie is gettin’ in on the act too!
 

Loads of people on Facebook and the Message Board are asking about when you'll be releasing your music on CD. Have you got any more details on that, and what other merchandise have you got planned for this year?
The CD music re-release is really important and we are hoping that will be in the Autumn where both albums will be released and new stuff too! Other merchandise set for the Autumn is the
t-shirt, sweatshirt and hoodies license, plus the Anniversary DVD.



You had an authorized life story book out many years ago. Will you be publishing your autobiography?
Good question - it’s about time innit yeahhhhhh! Actually l have been writing a book as a matter of fact. It’s entitled “RAT’S LIFE!” and it documents everything from the beginning, it will be a fascinatin’ read!!!!!

 
You used to wear a lot of Nike and Osh-Kosh fashion, what are your favourite clothes brands these days?
Most of my clothes are by VANS,  plus CONVERSE stuff too.
 

Photo: pauldaniels.co.uk

You've met quite a few famous people in your time; are there any other celebs that you'd like to meet or work with?
l always wanted to work with Spike Milligan but the BBC were too scared to book him as they considered him difficult! lt was great working with Frankie Howerd on numerous occasions,  the Pythons Terry Jones and Graham Chapman were brill. There are loads more I’d like to work with.... too many to mention... l luv meeting new stars, none of ‘em are as multi talented as me of course yeahhhh!!!!

Do you ever bump into any old friends in LA or London?
Well I’m always bumping into people on my jetsettin’ travels. When we were filming on top of a mountain in the desert in California Paul Daniels appeared out of the blue, so l dragged him into the scene yeahhhh!
 

You have mentioned on Facebook that there's a chance you of getting your own show back in the UK. How's that progressing?
Slowly as per usual but l have my agent workin’ on it, it will be a chat show to be shot in the Hollywood sewer or the London sewer with an audience aimed at a late slot, not for kids.
 

Do you manage to watch any British TV in the States? What are your favourite TV shows?
Don’t watch British tv in the States, in fact l don’t watch a lot of tv unless it’s somethin’ I’ve shot! In America most of the stuff is abysmal but l like RENO 911 and also the American OFFICE series is not bad.

You recently featured on Hits TV - we know your taste in music, so how many on the Countdown were your choice?! Kylie? Girls Aloud? Bananarama?!
Do you want a list of what was not my choice!? l guess you know my choices there were some left out cus they thought they were not commercial enough!!! Like P.I.L., Radiohead l had to beg for lggy Pop to be included!!! They cut me in before Bananarama sayin' it was one of my all time fave tracks....PLEASE!! That's what happens when someone edits your show and you are not involved!! l shot a link for P.I.L. but they did not include it. lf you are a true Ratfan you can spot the mindless rubbish that was not mine!!!!
For a complete Top 50 countdown list, click here

Have you got any projects on the go at the moment?
l always have several projects in development at any one time, we have a development list that is extensive. l would love to tell you about them but as l am often getting ideas stolen l have to keep them confidential otherwise a project ends up like The Koala Brothers....stolen!!! Won’t go into that now.......

Ireland put forward a singing turkey for their Eurovision Song Contest entry this year. The UK came last. Why don't you do the song for the United Kingdom in 2009?
l could do a lot better than a pathetic singing turkey that’s for sure and all our entries have been so appalling for years l think Colin my pet flea could do a better job than most of ‘em yeahhhh!!!! Scrap the whole contest – it’s a joke quite honestly!

And finally, have you got a message for all us Ratfans reading this interview?

Of course, l love you all yeahhhhh!!  Thanks to the web you can “GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE ONE YOU LOVE’ (remember that O.W.R.R.A.S slogan?) Check out the Facebook sites on a regular basis and of course the Official RR Web site will be up and running soon!!! Mind you with Ratfans.com doin’ such a great job l can take even longer now yeahhhh!!!

Luv ya loads
ROL 2008
XXXXXXXX

Ratcave 2
Los Angeles

Ratfans.com would like to say a big thank you to Roland for taking time out of his busy schedule to conduct the interview. To speak to Roland, Kevin, Errol or Reggie on Facebook, click here to visit our Links page.

© 2008 Roland Rat Superstar