[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14339352

Adam Ant found fame in the 1980s with his band Adam And The Ants.

For a short period, striding the stage in his brocaded Hussar jacket and facepaint, he was ubiquitous. His string of top 10 hits included three number ones: Stand and Deliver, Prince Charming and Goody Two Shoes.

But in 1982, just two years after their first major hit, the group disbanded.

However in 2003, following two arrests - one for pulling a replica gun in a pub, and another for stripping off in a cafe, the singer was subsequently sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Eight years on, he has put all that behind him and has returned to his roots, concentrating on music. The 56-year-old singer - real name Stuart Goddard - is currently writing a new album, in preparation for the Ants reuniting. But unlike the first time around, when Ant claims that he was underpaid - this time he maintains he will be banking all the profit.

The star still has his reservations about the music industry. "It's all got a little bit lazy," he says. "It's gone a little bit Opportunity Knocks and kids get the idea that you go on a TV show and six weeks later you're a star. "I'm not going to do downloads on my album. I'm doing vinyl, CD and cassettes," he reveals.

This weekend, the star is preparing to play The Vintage Festival, which takes place at the Southbank Centre in London.

Following a 30-day tour of the UK, Ant - who has come to cherish his downtime after the intensity of the 80s - will play just two songs at the event.

The musician has talked in the past about having bipolar disorder - but his take on his health issues is typically idiosyncratic.

Having previously described himself as "physiologically allergic" to anti-depressants, he says he no longer takes medication because he believes prescription drugs "literally take away the highs and the lows".

Instead, he chooses to use homeopathic methods: "I need to be up and down - I'm an artist," he insists.