3T’s Taj would do `Anything` to dodge our dreaded tin. As we lifted the lid, the poor boy cried.....

Why does the Leaning Tower of Pisa lean?

I don’t know. So it’s a tourist attraction? It was built that way, wasn’t it? Is there a correct answer? Or the foundations weren’t strong enough. These are hard questions.

What would you say if you met the queen?

Gosh! (Smiles.) “I feel bad for you, because you have as much bad tabloid stuff as our family does...” I think it’s between her and my uncle as to who’s in the US tabloids the most. “So I know what you’re going through, but it’s also a pleasure to meet you...”

[TOUGH COOKIE] How did you get on with Lisa-Marie?

We only met her twice, ‘cause we were travelling and recording, and Michael was recording HIStory, so we didn’t see much of him, either. She was great and we got on fine. I think the failure of the marriage had a lot to do with media pressures. Sure, she’s Elvis Presley’s daughter, but she had her own life. And then to be thrust into the limelight... Maybe she didn’t want it.

How old were you when you first got drunk?

I’ve never got drunk - I’ve never actually drunk alcohol. Seriously. It doesn’t interest me. I think, when I was younger, it became like a challenge because all my friends were doing it and I wanted to see how much willpower I had. Then I got to the point when I thought, `Why do it?` I didn’t see the point of doing something if I didn’t get any pleasure out of it, or advance myself. I would go and see my friends get drunk and then they would act really stupid. Why would I want to do that? I like being in control.

Do you steal soaps and shower caps from hotels?

Definitely. Especially shower caps, because every time I take a shower, my hair gets wet, and if I wash my hair too much, it loosens my braids. So I have a whole ton of shower caps. I don’t take the soaps, but I take the pens. It’s not stealing though, because they’re free. One time, I took a robe from the Landmark Hotel which I thought was free, but then we got the bill for it and it cost me half my pay check!

[TOUGH COOKIE] Aren’t you a bit old to still be living at home?

No, I’ll probably stay there the longest! I’m the homebody of the group - if I leave home, it’ll probably be after I’ve met the right person. I’m in no rush - I get along great with my dad and his fiancée.

Where do you go in your dreams?

I’ve had some weird dreams. I had one recently where I was attacked by aliens. It started off with these little green men chasing me and then I was in this pit. I also have dreams of us being on stage.

Do you admit it when you fart?

No. Well, it depends who I’m with. If I’m with my brothers or good friends, then yes. When I’m in public, never! But then again, I wouldn’t do it in public, unless I could blame it on someone.

[TOUGH COOKIE] Have you ever been tempted to do drugs?

No, although it has always been accessible to us. I’ve seen ex-friends do drugs, but I’ve never been tempted, because it’s morally wrong for me. I know I have somewhere to go, career-wise, and I don’t want that to stop me. We all feel like that and nothing’s gonna stop us from getting there.

What does Heaven look like?

I don’t know. I guess what everyone thinks it’s like - all white, clouds and stuff. Angels. I don’t know about the harps. I just think it would be a place where people who had died would look peaceful and at their prime.

Do you meditate?

No, but I would like to learn. It’s really hard for me to sit there for, like, five minutes, not doing anything. In bed, I have to read myself to sleep or watch TV. But I always make sure the TV’s on a timer, cause I was told that when the TV is on, it can get into your subconscious and all those negative images go straight into your brain as you sleep. So I would love to meditate. I really do need that sort of peace, but I don’t have the time right now. I wish I had thirty minutes just to sit there.

Could you beat Liam Gallagher in a fight?

I could beat anyone in a fight. I’m a pretty easy-going person, but once you cross my line, I’m vicious. I could beat any one of those guys, but I’m not challenging them, because I love their music. I tell you who I could really destroy - Jarvis. I don’t hate him, but I don’t respect him. If I had been there, it would have been different. I would have thrown him off the stage or something. When it comes to my uncle, I’m very protective.

When did you last have B.O.?

I don’t know. I always have B.O. Let’s be honest here, that’s why everyone soaks themselves in deodorant and stuff like that. I sweat a lot, especially when I work hard. But if you search for it, you can find B.O. on everyone. You just make sure it doesn’t show up. I’ve been told I smell very good, but I still soak myself in cologne.

Do you carry condoms?

No, I would have to be in a long-term relationship.

Can you bite your toenails?

Yes. I have actually gotten really good. I had a bad habit of biting both my fingernails and toenails. But I stayed away from that because I’ve learned how disgusting that seems. I still bite my fingernails sometimes, but I’m staying away from that because it doesn’t look very good at photoshoots. I still get nervous, and you’ve got to have something to take it out on. It’s better than smoking.

Have you ever skinny-dipped?

No. I don’t even go topless on the beach. No way. At school, when we had to swim, I used to do it with my shirt on. If anyone can be talked into showing off, it’s TJ... But me and Taryll. (Shakes his head.) I think TJ’s different to us when it comes to stuff like that. We’re just more shy.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

I love dogs, but I don’t know if I’d want to be one, begging all the time. Cats are boring. Elephants? Too heavy, not fast enough. Cheetahs are cool, and lions are big and strong. I’m going to go for a lion, because I’m a Leo. The lion - king of the jungle.

What was the last meal you cooked?

I made something for breakfast about a week ago with sausages, fat-free cheese, bread, tomatoes... I guess it was kind of like a sandwich, but the sausages were hot and the cheese was melted over it. I can’t cook anything more elaborate than sausages. I do cook cream of wheat (like Ready Brek) very well. There’s a technique required. You have to boil the milk or water to a certain point and put salt in it, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon... But I’m not a very good cook - I’m more of a cereal person.

If you could have been in any film, what would it be?

I’d have been in `Jaws`, because it really scared me when I was a kid. Even today, I will not go into the sea, because I’m scared of sharks. One of my fears is that I’m going to crash in a plane one day and be eaten by sharks. Every time I fly over the water, I try not to think about it. It would have been really cool to work on `Jaws`, because then I would have seen that it was a fake shark.

How many times have you been in love?

Three times. I’ve only had three girlfriends.

And you loved them all?

Yeah, you have to after a year. It’s in my contract. (Laughs.) No, seriously, I knew them all before and they became very good friends and then something more. After a little while, you become inseparable. The shortest of my relationships lasted 11 months. That was my first one and she broke my heart. I’m a long relationship kind of person. I’m very picky, too. So I’ve been in love three times and I don’t regret any of them.

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