The Streets’ Mike Skinner has revealed family tragedy traumatised him as he admits he lost thousands on ‘betting’ after becoming one of the biggest stars of the 00s.
With songs such as Fit But You Know It and the Number one track Dry Your Eyes, The Streets were hugely successful in bringing alternative hip hop to the top of the charts.
But Mike, 44, told The Independent about the tough time he was going through behind the scenes following the death of his father, aunt and niece in quick succession.
He said: ‘I wouldn’t want to do that again. Which seems crazy – being in the charts, being in the newspapers…
Honest: The Streets star Mike Skinner revealed family tragedy traumatised him as he admitted he lost thousands on ‘betting’ after becoming one of the biggest stars of the 00s (stock image)
Iconic: With songs such as Fit But You Know It and the Number one track Dry Your Eyes, The Streets were hugely successful in bringing alternative hip hop to the top of the charts, pictured in 2002
‘I like the Noel Gallagher attitude: it’s your job to show the next generation that it’s amazing being a creative. Stop complaining and take your mental collapse like a proper rock star.’
Mike admitted he found himself losing tens of thousands of pounds after spread betting on football which was ‘incredibly traumatic.’
He was also diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome around 2010 but now lives a much quieter and more settled life.
The band’s third album, The Hardest Way To Make A Living, failed to achieve the heady heights of the previous two albums, selling a disappointing 700,000 copies.
He said he no longer suffers from the paralysis and anxiety of his 20s and 30s.
Love: Mike now lives with his wife, the jewellery designer Claire Le Marquand, (pictured) and their children, A melia, 14, and George, 12, (pictured in September)
Adding: ‘I don’t have the feeling of being watched all the time any more, which is great. On my second or third album, you’d walk in somewhere and people would start talking about you. You didn’t know what people were going to do.’
Mike now lives with his wife, the jewellery designer Claire Le Marquand, and their children, Amelia, 14, and George, 12.
He said: ‘The sooner I could sit at home and just drink tea, the better. I’m really glad I’m in a family now and can just lie in bed.’
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