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I could start with Mandelstam, who was a huge influence on my early writing.

My father was a huge influence on me.

There's an old Fred Astaire movie where the stage becomes bigger and deeper and more complex. Moments like that really did impact on me and influence me.

The most important influence in my childhood was my father.

Dostoevsky was my literary idol for a long time.

I concentrated on Rossini when I began, and I never really felt any competition. I sang in the best houses, and I believed I was always a first choice. I was lucky in a way - I never felt there was someone else who was getting the roles in another theatre and that we were competing.

Mankiewicz was a brilliant director.

The friendship of Shostakovich cast a brilliant light over my whole life and whose spiritual qualities captured my soul once and for all time.

My biggest influence growing up was Avicii, who put me onto creating the sorts of melodies that feature throughout my songs today.