My Arts: Dana

Dana has been come synonymous with Eurovision. As Ireland’s first winner of the song contest a squillion years ago, she beat internationally recognised singers such as Julio Iglesias and Mary Hopkin, and the song All Kinds of Everything topped Simon and Garfunkel's in the UK charts. But let's not forget another Eurovision act she inspired, Israeli transvestite singer Dana International.

A career in panto and politics followed. As Rosemary Scallon she gained a seat in the European Parliament and is intensely involved in the Catholic Church and controversial for her “pro-life” views.

We ask her about none of that.

What are your three top music albums of all time?

Mad Man Across The Water. Elton John

The Beatles (red album)

Johnny Cash Live at San Quentin

What were the first and the last records that you bought?
First: The Shadows. Apache. Last: Susan Boyle, I Dreamed a Dream

What was the first live gig that you went to?
Tony Bennett . Yes I bought a ticket.

And the last?
Blondie. I didn't buy a ticket it was a showcase for new album

What song is running around your head today?
Beyonce, Single Ladies.

What newspapers/magazines do you read?
Anything from' In Style' to the Economist.

What word do you most like the sound of?
Chocolate

Which websites do you visit most often?
Any to do with cooking, as in 'how to'.

Who or what do you listen to on the radio?
Mostly Talk Radio

What was the best television show ever made?
Fawlty Towers

What is your best film?
At the moment, Last Holiday

What book in childhood made the biggest impression on you?
Ivanoe

What book are you currently reading at bedtime?
Jack, a biography of CS Lewis

Who or what makes you laugh?
Tommy Cooper, the Goons, Michael McIntyre and my husband.

Which single work of art (either visual/written/musical/dramatic) do you find the most emotionally moving and why?
Salvadore Dali, the Crucifixion. Why? I think it's self explanatory.

Which living artist/media/entertainment figure do you most admire and why?
Terry Wogan, Amazing career and family life. Half a century of making most people smile more.

Know any good jokes?
Yes, but I can't think of any right now.

*Dana is appearing at the Brindley in Runcorn next week as guest of the Mayor’s Civic Charity Show on April 15. Tickets are on sale now priced £15 – phone 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

NB: If you can help Dana out with a joke, feel free to add it below.