Celebrity songwriting often intertwines personal stories, and for McFly’s Tom Fletcher, one of his most beloved songs sprang from the simplest of moments—sitting on the toilet. This amusing anecdote emerged when his wife, author and podcast host Giovanna Fletcher, shared the details on the show Auto Trader’s Show On The Road. The couple has been open about how their relationship influences Tom's music, and this story adds yet another charming layer to their family dynamics.
During the podcast, Giovanna revealed how Tom penned the hit track "All About You" as a last-minute Valentine's Day gift. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, the clock was ticking for Tom to come up with something special for his wife. Giovanna recounted, "He wrote it in ten minutes for me on the toilet apparently. So, Valentine's Day was coming up and he hadn't got me anything. So, he thought ‘Just write her a song.’" It’s hard to believe something so iconic could have such humble beginnings!
Back then, the band lived together, spotlighting their camaraderie. Giovanna explained the setting: "At the time, the boys were living in a band house, and Danny had a studio, so he literally just went down and made a little demo of this song, all acapella, like a male harmony group if you like, but it was all Tom doing these different parts." The original plan was personal; little did Tom know he would turn the sweet gesture of love not just for Giovanna, but also for millions of fans. After presenting it as his Valentine surprise, the opportunity struck when Comic Relief approached McFly for contributions to their annual single. Giovanna expressed the surprising twist: "They absolutely loved it and it turned itinto a huge, huge song, raising millions for Comic Relief."
On the other side of the entertainment spectrum, the world of writing also has its fair share of family influence, as evidenced by West End star Michael Ball. He recently shared his reasons for omitting raunchy content from his murder novels—specifically the concern for his 90-year-old mother's comfort. His novels, such as The Empire and A Backstage Betrayal, have made waves, but Ball made it clear: "I consciously don’t put sex scenes in my books. The idea of my mum listening to me doingthat? She would be mortified. So it's all good clean fun."
While Ball ensures his literary works are free of steamy moments, he admitted knowing when to draw the line, especially when narrations call for more adult themes. Reflecting on his audio books, Michael appreciates the opportunity to bring his writing to life, though he acknowledges challenges with some scenes: "Now when I came to do the audiobook for [Different Aspect], I was going ‘Oh, can I say this word?’ and I thought ‘Yes!’"
Both Tom and Michael highlight intriguing facets of how personal relationships shape creativity. For Tom, this connection to his family manifests through songwriting, crafting melodies steeped with nostalgia and earnest sentiment. Meanwhile, Michael's process is guided by respect for his family's views, maintaining integrity within his publications. Despite their different approaches, both reveal how family significantly influences their craft.
Through humorous details about unorthodox songwriting and sincere reasons for clean writing, these celebrities show how personal experiences inform their public personas, weaving family narratives and influences effortlessly through their artistry. Whether it’s Tom’s spontaneous lullabies or Michael’s careful crafting of narratives devoid of risqué content, one thing remains clear: family plays a pivotal role, guiding and shaping their journeys through the world of entertainment.
