Win a copy of Moving On and a signed photo

Hear'say now seem like they were from an innocent age when the world was unaware of Fame Academies, Pop Idols, Popstars, text votes, expulsions, evil judges and singing bananas.

More than two years on, although Myleene has chosen the classical route, rather than signing another pop contract when Hear'say fell apart, she still regards those years as the best of her life:

Hear'say at Children in Need in Southsea in 2001.

"It was living the dream - so many kids want to be in a pop band and we were up there doing it. Unfortunately towards the end it turned slightly sour, through nobody's fault I'd say. It was completely unreal and now I just remember the good times. We're still very very close and I see the others all the time."

Myleene had the advantage of having a classical music background, which emerged during the Popstars auditions. She has played the piano since the age of four and has also worked in the West End. She finished top of her class at the Royal Academy of Music having majored in piano and harp.

Her new album, Moving On, sprang from Myleene's love of classical music: "It's got to be accessible and I want to open it up so it's not so intimidating. DJs use it, rappers rap over it - it's stirring and emotional and I believe in it!", hence plenty of popular movie soundtrack tunes from films like Braveheart and Gladiator. As well as performing, throw in the piano and orchestral arrangements and it's clear Myleene isn't your average airheaded pop babe.

Myleene Klass

However it's not that easy to stay out of the tabloids and ladmags - in FHM's 100 Sexiest Poll, she pitched in at Number 33, which Myleene is still somewhat bemused about: "I was hired as a musician and not as a model - I don't just want to sit there and look cute - I want to get my hands dirty and enjoy doing what I do."

Myleene also revealed a bit about her childhood - confessing to being a typical teenager: "I had my rebellious moments, but I loved academia and was a bit of a bookworm!"

Her Mum is Filipino and her Dad half Viennese and Myleene revealed how the two met on a blind date when her normally teetotal Mum passed out after Cinzano! "They are very supportive and not pushy in the slightest."

For the moment Myleene admits to being excited and nervous about how the new direction will be received: "I want to be regarded as a musician - everyone says 'when are we going to have something different?' - and this is different, and it's a gamble!"

Myleene Klass' new album, Moving On is released on Monday 20th October.