I SPENT an hour in the studio with Astro, Robin and Duncan from UB40. The guys shared memories of their incredible career and looked forward to the tour and the brand new Labour of Love IV album, out in February 2010. Astro reminisced about working at Cadbury’s before finding fame with the band. The guys laughed about living off boiled eggs as they played Russia in the eighties. They agreed their career highlight was playing South Africa post apartheid, after upholding the cultural boycott. UB40 still hold the record for playing to the biggest crowds there, as they drew greater audiences than Michael Jackson. When I asked Duncan how he felt about stepping into his brother Ali’s shoes as lead singer, he admitted he was ‘terrified’ adding, ‘but someone was going to do it. If it hadn’t been me it would have been someone else’. UB40’s ‘Best of Labour of Love’ is out this week and they play the LG Arena on December 21. Christmas is coming and forget the goose getting fat, if you’re feeling a little rounder than you’d like fear not. Cain Leathem from GB Fitness joined me on the Smooth Drive home to give me some healthy tips. Here come the top five: 1. A forty minute power walk before breakfast. 2. Minimising your intake of simple carbohydrates e.g. sugars. 3. Eating frequent quality meals. 4. Doing some resistance work – women should never be afraid of hitting the weights. 5. Drink plenty of water. Read the full article at www.smoothradiowestmidlands.co.uk and go to the Smooth Drive Home. | 
