Forget the wild parties, screaming fans and all-night antics of the 90s. These days, East 17’s Terry Coldwell is more interested in a comfy bed, a bit of peace and quiet, and occasionally asking promoters for a pillow.
The boyband star, who was just 16 when he joined the group, has swapped some of the excesses of pop stardom for changing nappies, looking after his kids and spending weekends travelling the world with his bandmates.
But he’s still got plenty of stories to tell, from staying in the Mongolian president’s winter residence to some truly criminal fashion choices involving patchwork quilts, and a rather unexpected piece of advice for his younger self: don’t get married.
Ahead of East 17’s first-ever Channel Islands performances, including a gig at Follies in Guernsey on Saturday 7 November, Express caught up with Terry for a suitably nostalgic ‘Smash Hits’-style grilling about life in the band, the madness of the 90s and why he’s rather looking forward to visiting Guernsey.
The Smash Hits grilling…
What’s the most bizarre thing you’ve ever asked for on a backstage rider?
Do you know what, our riders are so simple!
All the promoters say to us, “Is that all you want?” because other bands want a million things.
Probably a pillow! We’d been travelling all weekend and I was like, “Oh mate, have you got a pillow?”
And did you get it?
No!
Looking back at all those iconic 90s outfits, which one makes you cringe the most?
There’s one! We were gigging in Cornwall and went into this hippie shop.
I think me and Brian bought these tops and bottoms, and they were like a patchwork quilt. You know, all those little squares? But it was a top and bottoms!
I think it was for a ‘Smash Hits’ photoshoot. I look back at it now and think, “Mate, what were you thinking?”
There were quite a few fashion disasters back then. When you’re in the limelight, you want to be a bit different sometimes, but sometimes it doesn’t work out!
Five recently said they enjoy gigging more these days because their families can come along. Is performing in your 50s better than the madness of the 90s?
I enjoy it more now because we run our own ship.
We manage ourselves, do our own bookings, basically do our own driving. It’s literally just the three of us, and that’s it.
We all know what we’ve got to do to make it work. We work hard, and even if we’re not well, we don’t want to let each other or the promoters down.
I haven’t had an argument with Robbie in 14 years!
That’s quite amazing really, when you think about it, because you’re on the road in close proximity to each other all the time.
At home in the week, I’m changing nappies and doing stuff like that. I’ve got a lot of kids, and they keep you grounded.
I’m Dad in the week, and then most weekends I’m travelling around with my mates doing what I love!
Back in the day, I imagine it was huge arenas followed by partying all night. What’s the after-show routine these days? Still going hard, or straight back to the hotel for a nice bath?
No, it’s way different!
Do you know what I look forward to? I always say this to the guys: “I can’t wait to get in bed!”
I’ve got a little girl who’s in a cot bed in the same room as me at the minute, so it’s nice not to be waking up in the night.
I just look forward to a bit of peace, really, because I don’t get it at home!
Sometimes we’ll have a little drink in the dressing room, but those days of getting hammered are long gone.
You were just a teenager when East 17 started. How old were you when you signed your first record deal?
I was 16 when I joined the band and 17 when we got a deal.
My dad had to sign the deal!
Do you ever miss the original line-up? Are you still in touch?
No one talks in the original line-up, really. There’s a lot of water under the bridge, to be fair.
But I haven’t got a bad thing to say about it, really, because I’ve enjoyed the whole career.
It’s been up and down. The last 14 years have been up, but it’s been a rollercoaster ride.
When I watched ‘The Big Reunion’, I was like, “Mate, that’s our story!”
Every band’s got the same story. You start out close, then you fall out.
But we’re not on this planet for that long, if you really think about it, and the more experiences you can have in life, the better.
You’ve travelled ‘Around the World’, but where’s the craziest place you heard your biggest hit, ‘Stay Another Day’?
Mongolia!
I’ve been there about three times, but the first time was crazy because we stayed in the president’s winter house.
The soldiers saluted you every time you went in and out of the gates in the car!
I felt a little bit important!
I’ve just got back from Uzbekistan as well. I’d never been there before.
It was about 16 to 18 hours of travelling because we had to go around Russian airspace, but it was a lovely place, beautiful people.
I didn’t expect it to be how it was. Very clean, and I just loved it.
And where’s your favourite place you’ve visited?
I love Australia.
If it weren’t so far away, I’d probably move there!
I think the people are funny. They laugh at themselves and don’t take life too seriously.
Every time I’ve gone, I’ve really enjoyed it. And obviously you’ve got the weather, which helps!
You’ve never performed in the Channel Islands before, but have you ever actually visited?
No, I haven’t! I’m really looking forward to that one.
I remember when they said we were going to the Faroe Islands. I thought it was Egypt! (’cause of the Pharos)
But it was the most crazy place. It reminded me of ‘Jurassic Park’.
You fly into the island and there are waterfalls coming down the mountains. It’s the most stunning place ever.
We had every bit of weather you could think of in 24 hours. Sunshine, rain, thunder, hailstones!
It’s another crazy place, but somewhere people should visit because it’s stunning.
If you could steal the songwriting credit for any other pop song, what would it be?
That’s a good question!
I’ve got so many songs on my phone. I’m old school, I’m still on iTunes. I like to keep the music!
It’s got to be Bobby Caldwell, ‘What You Won’t Do for Love’.
That’s an old one, but I love that track.
It’s just uplifting. And the brass in it, mate! Love it!
If 16-year-old Terry could meet the older, wiser version of himself, what advice would you give him?
Don’t get married!
I’ve been divorced twice!
No, no, I’ve got some lovely kids out there.
I’d say try and look after yourself a bit better in the younger years.
Get yourself a really good accountant. If you’re going to be in the music industry, get your own accountant from the start. It’s really important.
And just have fun. Have a good time. Don’t take life too seriously.
Finally, finish this sentence: The absolute best thing about being a pop star in the 90s was…
Travelling the world!
East 17 will be playing two gigs in the Channel Islands this year.
They will headline the Day Disco at Follies nightclub in St Peter Port on Saturday 7 November, from 15:00 to 20:30.
Jersey fans don’t despair, though! The band will also be bringing their biggest hits to Jersey for a special festive Day Disco at The Royal Yacht Hotel in St Helier on Saturday 12 December 2026 from 16:00 to 21:00.
Both over-30s events will also feature special guest DJs playing 80s and 90s hits, with tickets priced at £41.50.
