BEFORE meeting Tommy Fleming I was sceptical whether he's as famous as his "people" claim. I just didn't understand why, if he's been so big in Ireland for 20 years, he hasn't made it here yet. Then two things happened that proved me wrong. Firstly, while interviewing him in a hotel lobby in Cork, Ireland, several young ladies in town for a hen party came running over, gushing about how much they love Tommy and excitedly asked him for a photograph. And secondly, I was lucky enough to see him live in his home country.

Now, I'm not the biggest fan of easy listening music but Tommy manages to inject a bit of personality into his songs – seeing him live was a bit like getting a comedian and singer rolled into one. I've never listened to any of his CDs, yet I was still able to join in and, as I left the venue, I was still tittering away to myself at his on-stage banter.

Tommy's gig involved some great singalong numbers including Starry Starry Night, You Raise Me Up, Bridge Over Troubled Water, The Contender, Hard Times and a personal highlight for me – The Boxer.

At 41-years-old, the farmer's son from Sligo has already had a long and varied career with many ups and downs, including surviving and recovering from a car crash.

I spoke to him ahead of his visit to the Royal Concert Hall next month.

Your upcoming UK tour is the biggest you've done yet. Do you feel nervous?

Absolutely, it's a huge undertaking. We just thought "OK we're finally going to do it". Are we mad? No, we're not...probably. I'm apprehensive to a degree but I really want to do it. We've done it in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, North America, Canada and Europe itself. But we've not once taken that step into our neighbours to do it, which is kind of strange.

Have you ever played in Nottingham before?

Once, about 10 years ago. We played a small little hall, I can't even remember where. I think there were about five people at the show!

How do you feel about comparisons with Daniel O'Donnell?

People often say (about my music) "is it a bit like Daniel O'Donnell" and no it's not at all. I even sometimes cuss on stage, so therefore I'm not like Daniel O'Donnell.

How would you describe your music?

Easy listening, middle of the road and, hopefully, it takes you to a place that makes you feel good.

Eric Clapton called your interpretation of Danny Boy the "best bar none". How did that feel?

I was at the Bottom Line club in New York's Greenwich village, a small place with tables and candles. Liam Neeson was there and then Eric Clapton came in. I thought "ooh, we've got a bit of a star-studded audience here". Eric Clapton stayed for just one song, Danny Boy, and then about six months later there was a documentary on Danny Boy and that's when he said it. It's just amazing really.

What have been your career high and lows?

The highs have to be playing Carnegie Hall in New York, I played once when I was 21 and again when I was 27. Sydney Opera House was also a big high for me. The car accident was a big low; I broke my neck in 1998 which set me on a self-destructive path. I didn't know how to get out of the doldrums I was in, which is very unlike me. I was very young and I didn't know how to deal with it. In the beginning I was told I would never walk again. I was out of the limelight for 18 months, I lost a lot of time and had to start at the beginning again.

At that time I also had bad people around me. I changed all that in 2001 when I fired everyone. I came in with a giant sweeping brush. They all thought I'd lost it. But my mother had the best saying that made me realise I'd done the right thing. I went back home to her and I felt like s**t, I didn't know what I was going to do, I had no money and didn't know where to start. And she turned round to me and said: "Well it's like this, a new broom sweeps clean."

Growing up, what were your musical influences?

I listened to everything as a child because my parents had eclectic tastes. Their collection ranged from Bob Dylan, Sinead O'Conner, Shirley Bassey, Al Green, The Commodores, classical music, right up to traditional Irish Music. Everything was played.

Outside of work, do you lead a normal life?

Absolutely . That's one thing I force myself to do. I could get caught up in the fame thing but I really don't like it. I liked it for about 20 minutes when I was in my twenties. I live right in the heart of the country. I go to the local pub, where I sometimes sing in the corner. I go surfing almost every day and then walk the three dogs. When I'm off I like to go drinking, probably too much, sometimes I go drinking at 3pm and don't get home until 2am! There's nothing precious about my life.

These days do you think it's easier for youngsters to break into the music industry?

Ugh! I'm not a fan of reality TV at all. How many people have had huge, huge success off the back of X Factor or Britain's Got Talent? Okay, Susan Boyle is an exception to the rule and Leona Lewis is the only big star to come out of X Factor, but even then there's nothing been delivered in a while. I'm just not a fan of it, they haven't worked hard and stepped up the ladder.

Tommy Fleming will be at the Royal Concert Hall on March 19. Tickets are £21 to £24. To book call 0115 989 5555 or go to www.trch.co.uk.