Born in London, Tom Fletcher, 40, attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School and founded McFly in 2003. The band had seven No 1 singles, won a Brit Award for best pop act and continue to perform. In 2016, Fletcher published his first solo-written book for children, The Christmasaurus, which was shortlisted for a British Book Award. His titles have been translated into 40 languages. Paddington: The Musical, with music and lyrics by Fletcher, is at the Savoy theatre until next May. He is married to podcaster and author Giovanna Fletcher, has three children and lives in Hertfordshire.

When were you happiest?
On stage with my band.

What is your greatest fear?
I’m afraid of the dark.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I’m quite stubborn.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
People who aren’t polite.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
I was in Oliver! when I was 10 and I peed myself on stage in front of however many people the Palladium holds. It was the stuff of nightmares.

Aside from a property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
A pair of Back to the Future shoes. They were auctioned off for Michael J Fox’s Parkinson’s charity, so I bid and I won. I am a huge fan of the films and if there was ever a pair of shoes I should own, it was those.

Describe yourself in three words
Complicated, chaotic, messy.

What makes you unhappy?
Seeing my kids unhappy.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I am comfortable with my flaws: I’ve got a big chin but I’ve learned to live with it.

If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
Ricicles, the sugary cereal.

Who would play you in the film of your life?
Tom Felton. We get confused for each other all the time.

What is your most unappealing habit?
I’ve got a fixed retainer and I suck it and it really annoys everyone.

What scares you about getting older?
Seeing my kids getting older scares me.

Who is your celebrity crush?
That would have to be my wife.

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What is the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
“You’re not in Busted any more.” I successfully auditioned to be in Busted and then a couple of days later I got a phone call to say that I was no longer needed as they were going to keep it as the three of them. But it ended up being OK.

What was the last lie that you told?
I lied about the time of this interview, because I wanted to come and chill in my room on my own.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Listening to Christmas music when it’s not Christmas.

What does love feel like?
Very complicated.

Which living person do you most despise, and why?
Myself at times. I think you go through phases of thinking you’re a complete idiot.

If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
Santa.

Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
I guess I have to go with sex.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
To be kind.