This was an interview shown by morning television GMTV.

It was split over two mornings

Friday 22nd October, and Monday 25th October, 1993

An interview in New York By Fiona Phillips.

The show started with Neil singing Yesterday's songs over views of New York. Fiona said they were in New York to celebrate the launch of Neil Diamond's new album "Up On The Roof - songs from the Brill Building."

She started by saying it was a beautiful collection of songs and asked how Neil had chosen them.

He replied - Before the Beatles came in there was a great flowering of music in America, in Tin Pan Alley in Manhattan and in particular in the Brill Building. These are some of the songs that came from that period from that Building. It is just an album of wonderful, wonderful creative delicious songs. What can you say?"

The interview was interspersed with shots of Neil performing at the Sony promotional show.

Neil went on to say that his greatest dream was to be a songwriter, to have a family and to make a living from songwriting. He said however that he had been sidetracked by performing.

Fiona asked if it was true that he was not really at home with fame.

Neil replied -  Yes because realistically once you establish even a little bit of a reputation, you have to live up to that reputation at least. It's scary. It's always a little bit scary but that is good because it keeps your adrenalin going. It keeps your mind focused on what you really want to do. The rest is in the lap of the Gods, truly.

There are parts to being a celebrity that I really don't like. I would like to be anonymous but it is not easy to do. I have to take somebody with me. You just can't do anything spontaneous so I don't like that so much about fame.

There is no training for it. You just have to try and be nice to people and hope they will be nice to you.

Fiona - You have over the years been , and still are, a sex symbol. That for someone of your disposition must have been quite awkward to take. These weird women screaming and ….

Neil - I don't think they are weird! These are normal people. These are really normal people. That's what surprises me. And then they go beserk.

I certainly don't consider myself a sex symbol by any means so the propaganda must be good.

Fiona - How does your wife cope with all these ladies flinging themselves at you?

Neil - Well you know, she knows the truth. She has lived with me for twenty five years and she still loves me and she still puts up with me.

Fiona - You have given up smoking haven't you?

Neil - Yes I stopped about three years ago.

Fiona - That's good. So what do you do instead?

Neil - I haven't found a suitable vice. I am looking around though.

Fiona - There's always coffee.

Neil - I drink coffee a lot. I got into exercising which is interesting. I hated it and I still hate it but I have actually got into a regular regime of working out with a trainer and weights. I think that has taken a lot of the tension away. When you are exhausted, you can't be pent up.

Fiona went on to ask if Neil thought The Princess of Wales would be getting a copy of his new album.

Neil - I think she might be getting a copy.

Fiona - Will you send her one then?

Neil - Eh, yeah I will.

Fiona - You do keep in touch with her don't you?

Neil - Well I wouldn't say I keep in touch with her. I hear from either her or the palace in some way regarding a benefit. Or if there is some help needed they will call on me and if I can, I will be there.

Neil - Yes, it's tough, tough enough just making a marriage work, much less doing it in public, much less doing it to the man who is going to be a King. It's very tough. I don't envy her.

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