Craig David speaks ahead of Birmingham show - interview

Craig David returned to fame with his new album, Following My Intuition, which was released in September. It gave him his first No1 record since his debut, Born To Do It, reached the top slot in 2000.

David will build on that success in 2017 when he hits the UK for an arena tour. He'll visit Birmingham's Barclaycard Arena on March 24.

The singer has sold more than 15 million albums, achieved 16 Top 10 hits and multi-platinum status in more than 20 countries. He has taken over festival stages around the world, sold out headline tours in seconds and secured a residency at the iconic Ibiza Rocks Hotel.

The star has been nominated for 12 Brit Awards, including three times for Best British Male. He has also received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

The transformation of David's career has been genuinely remarkable. Fifteen years ago, he was one of the biggest stars in Britain – then almost overnight Bo' Selecta! Turned him into a national joke.

"That whole Bo' Selecta! thing wasn't affecting me the way people thought; I just wanted to get on with making music. But I know there were a lot of mixed messages from me. I let the music do the talking, and people are still getting feelings from my songs. If you get the opportunity to come full circle after the rollercoaster ride you've been on, you look at things differently.

When his career began to stall, David moved out to Miami and lived in the Mondrian Hotel. He became a bodybuilder, obsessing about the way he looked.

"Your abs are great but unless you wear a paper bag over your head, it ain't really the look you're going for. I just do what makes me feel nice – it's about being comfortable in your own skin.

"I feel a sexy physique is looking good in a T-shirt and keeping it underneath.

"I'm not going to be that guy taking my top off at pool parties. I'm not about that anymore."

He threw regular house parties, playing and keeping the drinks flowing for his friends.

"What I dislike about going to the club is if you're not behind that red rope, you feel you're missing something special going on. I think that's complete rubbish. So when people came to my parties, I make them all feel like VIPs. I don't want any kind of hierarchy in my home."

David remains popular and it's impossible for him to walk down the street without being pounced upon by fans. And yet rather than run away from that sort of attention, he thrives on it.

"I embrace selfies. It takes me two seconds and I get more excited than the person having the picture. I know it's going to make their week, and surely that's what this is all about?"

David led a bachelor life when he became a superstar. And he found himself the centre of attention from plenty of fans.

"Instead, I would think: 'I will spend time with you, enjoy the morning and make you lunch.'

"I enjoyed my time and I'm not going to paint myself as an angel. I had an amazing time. But was it fulfilling? No. Did I find myself in any of it? No. Were the quality of the relationships great? Not really. I can still count the genuine relationships I've had on one hand.

"A relationship will always come when you least expect it. I don't abuse the situation or the position I have. I've been DJing at an Ibiza pool party for the last eight weeks and you've got bikini-clad girls all around you. But I'm not that guy who would pick them out and invite them back. I haven't got time for that. I'm really happy that I'm not in that place any more.

"The universe lines you up with people and you just have to go with the flow. Do the right thing and the right thing will happen to you."

David's party lifestyle is now behind him and he's returned to London. The city inspires him musically and he's glad to be back. I've got this renewed love for music and being back in that melting pot. The UK is so where it's at, you can't help but feed off all the different styles."

He's been astonished at how well received his new music has been and he's enjoyed collaborating with a new generation of artist, like Big Narstie.

"I cannot tell you how emotional, surreal and excited I am. There's a lot of things going on in my mind. The last Number 1 I had was with Born To Do It 16 years ago so to have another and to share it with so many amazing people – my friends and family and the team that worked so hard around me and all the fans who supported me over the years – that's why it's surreal.

"I'm seeing two generations connecting."