DESPITE personal tragedies in the lives of fun-loving pop stars Right Said Fred, their music is still remarkably upbeat.

They have had to cope with public scorn, divorce and the news that singer Richard Fairbrass's lover is suffering from AIDS.

Yet their response is a new single which, while it is more serious, still has an uplifting edge.

Speak to Richard's brother Fred and he will claim he is unconcerned that the trio behind I'm Too Sexy fell out of favour with the British public.

"I think British people link anything to do with fun as lightweight and not very credible," he said.

"Because some of our stuff is ironic and they didn't quite get it, they went off us."

Fred partly blames Britpop and the fashion-driven whims of British music for the decline of the band in their homeland over the past couple of years.

The statistics speak for themselves. I'm Too Sexy reached number two during a 16-week chart run in 1991.

Deeply Dippy followed it as the band's first number one single in March 1992.

By March 1994, however, they only managed one week at number 55 with Wonderman.

"Music in this country is very fashion-driven, as opposed to music driven," said Fred.

"People would say: 'You must be really disappointed with how quickly you rose to fame and then found yourselves in the shadows over the last couple of years'.

"But we went to Europe and played at some massive festivals where we went down a storm.

"Some college circuits also went well."

It is Big Time - a single which stormed in the clubs as a white label, masterfully remixed by Joe T Vanelli - which finally brings them back to Britain.

"We were working on it last year," Fred added.

"Joe T Vanelli had heard the track and said he wanted to do some dance stuff with it.

"It did really well in the clubs and got loads of airplay on dance radio stations so we decided to run with it."

According to Fred, Big Time is the "poppiest" song on the imminent album release.

"The second single, I Want To Be Like You, will be much tougher," he said. "But I don't really care one way or the other. I just like people to put our records on the radio. I like to be given the same 30 seconds as everybody else, whether it is deemed more or less credible.

"Some of Kylie's stuff is great dance music."

Fred's own musical taste reflects his own openness to all forms of music.

He initially decided he had to be in a band when he saw T-Rex performing and cites musical favourites ranging from Tom Waits, Oasis and AC/DC to garage and house.

"Richard is very old school," he added.

"Our tastes are quite diverse."

The two brothers may be diverse in their musical tastes but they have supported each other during some very difficult times. "We have been recording and travelling a lot," said Fred.

"But I have also been busy getting divorced and moving house."

"The divorce was caused by the band and because of travelling a lot.

"I understand my wife couldn't continue with the way things were. Music is a job that takes over your life.

"But, luckily, it is a job that I really like."

The news that Richard's partner is suffering from AIDS has been tough for all of the band.

Fred said: "His boyfriend is very ill.

"We were forced to cancel about six weeks' work, which now looks like it will be extended for a few months. Richard has been spending all his time nursing Stewart since the middle of November.

"He now has 24-hour care. AIDS isn't something we as a band want to get on the soapbox about.

"I hate all these closet queens who wear AIDS ribbons one day a year and then don't give a toss the rest of the time.

"We tend to try and do a lot of work out of the limelight.

"Our make-up artist died of AIDS three years ago so it is something very close to our hearts.

"Fortunately, Richard has tested negative but Stewart's decline has been so rapid.

"People should take care 365 days a year."

Big Time is released by Right Said Fred's Happy Valley label on Monday.

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