The new single's very warm and happy, are you morphing into Summer Spice?

I actually wrote What Took You So Long just before Christmas with two guys called Biff and Julian, Biff did a lot of the Spice stuff. My influences recently have been Texas, Gabrielle, Sade, and old Motown 60s stuff. I connected with that song straightaway and knew I wanted it to be the single as soon as I recorded it. I'm really pleased with it.

And the video?

The video was shot in LA. It was quite nerve-racking 'cause the actual idea for the video was mine. I worked with a great producer who let all my ideas run. We shot it in Lancaster Desert near LA and even though it looks really hot, it was actually freezing cold. I was in a little dress for two days and my mum and auntie came with me. They were standing at the side in massive jumpers and Puffa jackets! We had a really good laugh though.

You're launching your album and single, do you think that going solo is the best way to continue being successful?

I feel really lucky that I can do both. I think that's one thing we're all really happy about. We love working together but we've also given each other this space that allows us to do solo projects. I've been doing this album for about a year and a half now, so yeah, I just feel really lucky.

Will it be harder to go back to the Spice Girls if the album does well?

No not at all 'cause they're my mates and I love working with them. Doing your own thing you can do whatever you want and it's been a different experience. Although it's nerve-racking, I've really enjoyed it. Because I write my own stuff, I've written about all the things that I've been through that every girl and boy out there will be able to relate to. Whether it's falling in love or having to tell someone you don't want to be with them anymore. I've got a couple of songs for my mum, some guitar tracks, dance tracks and getting-ready-to-go-out tunes. Most people these days like all sorts of music, so I've tried to do something around that.

So if you've got all the control and can choose what to do, why would you go back to the Spice Girls?

Because I write with the girls as well, it's a laugh and we have a good time. It's like a family that you meet up with every once in a while - you don't have to spend every minute with each other.

Is there anywhere you can go without being recognised?

Um, I dunno. But I think it's great being recognised. I'd get worried if I wasn't. It puts a smile on my face. Everyone's really nice. I went to Mauritius a while ago and didn't get recognised, so I guess there are some places!

The exposure on the other girls is a lot more intense than for you, why do you think that is?

I think 'cause I'm lucky. I don't know, now that I've got the album coming out and I'm back in the public eye it might get heavier but I am quite a private person, I'm not a showbiz person. Many of my friends I've known since school and my favourite night would be staying in with the girls watching videos and ordering pizzas. I haven't got married to a famous footballer or been divorced or had children so maybe that's why too but it still might happen.

Britney Spears saying no sex before marriage has made a lot of news, do you believe in that?

I think each to their own in whatever they believe in, but I'm not one of them! The media's been picking up a bit on my relationship with Jade and they've been saying we're getting engaged. We're getting on great at the moment but we're not engaged. We're still young and have got loads of time.

How long have you been going out with Jade?

Three and a half years. It's great - we don't put any pressure on each other. We do normal couple stuff like going to the cinema, going bowling and going out for dinner. We still sort of date, which is really nice and keeps things exciting.

So would you think about getting engaged then, if you were still together in a couple of years?

Er, I don't know. Nobody knows what's going to happen, do they?

What if Jade asked you in six months?

Look at you! I don't know, I'm still a young girl, I don't know if I'd be ready then.

But it's been over three years!

You don't have to get engaged just because you've been together for a while. You know, we have a great relationship and I think because we work so hard, we're not together 24/7 so it keeps things fresh. We don't live together or anything.

Why not?

Because we're still both really young. He's only 22 - my toyboy! I've only just moved out of my mum's to live on my own so I want to see what that's like.

There's been a lot in the papers recently about stars and their weight or if they've had plastic surgery or not. Would you ever consider plastic surgery?

No. I don't know what it is, maybe my mum's influence or something. Maybe when I'm older I'd consider it but just now I can't imagine wanting to have anything done. I try and be as natural as possible. Even hair extensions drive me mad! I find the pressure on people to be thin at the moment really annoying. Some people are naturally skinny but some aren't and I think there's more important things to worry about and concentrate on. Stuff like families, friends and boyfriends are what you should be enjoying and focusing on.

What do you think of Hear'Say?

I wish them all the best luck, I hope they have a good time and are enjoying it. I didn't see all of the show but I couldn't believe how brave they were. When I get nervous my throat closes up and I can't sing a single note.

Wasn't it like that auditioning for the Spice Girls?

No, I just went into a room and sang for two people and that was it - not standing up in front of a whole roomful. Everything was in place for them as well, they had a manager and a contract set up, we had to go and look for that ourselves. We shared a house but it was tiny and my mum used to come round and make us breakfast and do the cleaning. But good luck to them, I hope they do well.

Who's your favourite?

Danny. Because I watched him the other day and he's smiling the whole time. You can see he's thinking, "Oh my god, I can't believe this is happening!" and really enjoying it, I love people like that. It really shows. The song's really catchy and it might sound a little bit like the All Saints or whatever but it's done well for them so there you go.

So what's next?

Well, I'm doing all the promotion stuff for the album so I'll be everywhere for a while. After that we'll see how the album does but I definitely want to tour. I'd love to go to America but if I do, I'd have to go for ages to really make it work. You can't just send your song over there and hope for the best. Maybe towards the end of the year, but there's an awful lot to do in the meantime!

Emma's new single What Took You So Long is out now and her album, A Girl Like Me is out on April 16.