As a result, Tim knows how to write a great song and his lyrics sum up exactly what everyone is thinking but can't say themselves.

Tim recently supported Take That on tour, but with the release of his debut album, Putting It To Bed, we though it was time we slipped between the covers to find out more about the man, his gay friends and Gary Barlow.

You've written chart hits songs for some of the UK's biggest stars, so why's it taken you so long to jump into the spotlight?
When I was 21, I was writing with established artists which, at the time, was so exciting. Also the experience I was getting from working with some of the best songwriters and producers around made me think I needed to bide my time and learn my craft I suppose!

I didn’t want to just release an album for the sake of it; I wanted it to be something I felt was quality - and also have something to write about!

I couldn’t have written this album in my earlier years as I just didn’t have the experiences and life moments.

Why is now the right time to move centre stage?
I wanted to have something to write about and I think when you get into your later twenties, you’ve had a fair few life experiences - some people might write a book but I wrote an album. Also, the music biz has changed in the last few years and things seem to be going back to singer songwriters and age doesn’t seem such a big deal anymore.

If you’ve got a good tune that connects, then why can’t you go out there and have a go?

Most people want to perform, so how did you start song writing?
Long story. I’ve written songs since I was a kid. I used to make up radio jingles then when I was 13 I had my own mobile disco business which must’ve been a concern when I turned up to DJ some geezers’ wedding!

Joking aside, the DJing taught me how to connect to people and I seemed to have a knack of identifying what they wanted to hear, which has helped in my songwriting - or maybe people just didn’t have the heart to tell me I was rubbish!

I started a duo in school. We were 12 years old and thought we were the Pet Shop Boys. I’d do the music and singing, my mate John would do the lyrics. We lasted a year and split - because I couldn’t understand his lyrics!

I studied music and didn’t want a ‘proper job’ and was using it to fill in time and learn until I got some kind of break. Luckily when I was 19 I got into a pop band in Germany. We didn’t release anything but we worked with some great producers and writers. It lasted a couple of years and then at 21 I got into Steelworks, a songwriting production team that were working with everyone under the sun.

I bombarded them with songs until they cracked and took me on! I must’ve been a real pain in the arse. I used to use the studio in the evenings and the producers would turn up at 11 the next day to find me either still working or fast asleep on the floor!

A publishing deal came off the back of this and within weeks I was writing with some big artists - told you it was a long story!

"Lyrically, I’ve tried to look at life and love from a different angle and write about different things. Don’t hold me to this, but I challenged myself not to mention the word ‘love’ in any of the songs and I think I managed it!"

You’ve written for The Spice Girls, Billie Piper, plus artists like Celine Dion and Bryan Adams. What was it like working for big stars?
It’s such a buzz working with the big ones, the majority of them are amazing to work with, professional but also very humble. It’s a real buzz when I’ve composed a song especially for that artist and I can hear them singing it in my head - and then they’re in the vocal booth singing it and they’re loving it. It’s such a great feeling.

Was it all a bit of a roller coaster journey, writing under pressure and to deadlines?
I’ve had a few funny experiences! Sometimes I’ve nipped out to the toilet for a few minutes and I’ll call one of my mates and say, ‘I’ve got blah blah in the studio expecting me to come up with some big no.1 that saves their career - and I’m stuck in the toilet cause I can’t think of anything today,’ that’s pretty pressured. But after a few deep breaths, those occasions usually bring the best out in you. I like being on the edge now and again - keeps things interesting!!

So were you ever given any extravagant gifts by anyone you’d written for?
I don’t think I’ve been given anything extravagant by anybody, but I worked with Victoria Beckham and the day after I had a thank you card pushed through my door. She’s the only person to ever send me a thank you card, so thanks Victoria!

Your album's called Putting It To Bed. So who do you want to put to bed?! LOL
I like the way you just sneakily slipped that question in there! I couldn’t possibly tell you. There are so many gorgeous people around, that’s all I’m gonna say. [Laughter]

I take it you’ve written all your own songs for the album?!
Yes I have. I produced and mixed the album too, so it’s been a long, long process. After hours and hours of walking round the house on my own, thousands of cups of tea and feeling that people on Sky Sports News were close friends by the end of it, I’m glad to have finally finished it. I just didn’t see anybody for ages until it was done.

It was a mental challenge to do it all myself, I’d got so far with it, that even though I could’ve had some help, I got really protective and had to finish it myself!

What are you most proud of about the album?
I’ve always wanted to write my own album, so to reach this point and have the finished CD in my hand is a dream come true. I just hope people like it and can get something out of it for themselves. The album is very personal, but I hope that people will be able to relate to it too, that’s really important to me.

The debut single is titled ‘Digging My Heels In’. Are you a stubborn man?
I am a little bit. I hate being told what to do, I always like to do things in my own time - which is what the song’s about. There so much expectation on people, when people say, ‘At this age you should be doing that’ or, ‘Oh you’re too old to do that,’ it bugs the hell out of me!! I’m a bit of a softy really and I usually go with the flow as long as nobody tells me what to do!

"I’ve got quite a few gay mates so when we go out they usually want to go for a boogie and I’ve had the odd approach which is very flattering!"

How would describe your musical style?
A mixture of different styles. There’s a bit of country in the melodies and it’s very lyrically driven, a bit of folk in there, with a tinge of soul and rock/pop - a bit of everything! I haven’t got any electric guitars in there because I wanted this album purely acoustic and I’d have somewhere to go musically, if I get to do a second.

Lyrically, I’ve tried to look at life and love from a different angle and write about different things. Don’t hold me to this, but I challenged myself not to mention the word ‘love’ in any of the songs and I think I managed it!

That doesn’t mean that most of the songs aren’t about love, I just want people to take what they want from each song.

You're a good looking guy and are likely to pick a few male admirers. Will you mind if you become a gay pin up?
Not at all! I’d been extremely flattered and would take it as a great compliment.

Have you ever been chatted up by a guy before?
I’ve got quite a few gay mates so when we go out they usually want to go for a boogie and I’ve had the odd approach which, again, is very flattering!

Ever been tempted?
I’m a ladies man but I’d like to think I can appreciate a good looking chap!

Do you think it’s important to make it on the gay scene?
I do think it’s important and it’s a hope of mine to make it on every scene - so yes. Whoever you are, if you appreciate good music, I’d be chuffed if you like mine.

You supported Take That on their recent tour. What was that like?
Daunting but amazing. I did two gigs to about 100 people before the first Take That gig in front of about 8,000! I could’ve gone up there and been so overawed by the whole thing and just have frozen, but I thought to myself that I may never get a chance again to sing in front of so many people, so every night I just milked it and took in the whole experience.

It was really kind of Gary and the boys to invite me on tour with them. Their show was unbelievable.

Are their fans still as obsessed with the boys as they were in their heyday? Did they throw anything inappropriate onto the stage?
Do you know what, I didn’t get a thing. Gutted. Mind you I was on early, so maybe they were a bit too sober. Some of the Take That fans have stuck with me and started their own fan sites for me which is fantastic.

"The album is very personal, but I hope that people will be able to relate to it too, that’s really important to me."

So, were you a fan of the band in your youth?
I started taking note of them on their Never Forget album. I thought ‘Back for Good’ and ‘Never Forget’ were amazing pop songs. I was in my early teens when they broke through and I immediately related to Gary because he played the piano and wrote the songs, which is what I always saw myself doing.

Your now friends with Gary. How did that come about?
A producer I worked with in Steelworks who also wrote with Gary introduced me to him. At the time we were developing Blue of all bands. Gary and I wrote a song called ‘Girl I’ll Never Understand’ and it got on their first record. We got on great and wrote a load more songs together like ‘Guilty’ and four songs on Delta Goodrem’s first album. We’ve kept in touch and it was a great surprise when I got the call about touring with him and the lads.

And finally, what’s next for you?
After being stuck in the studio for the last eight years I’m loving all of these different experiences. I don’t know how long it’s going to last so I’m just taking it all in while I can. Of course, if all goes well, I’d love to do my own tour and take the album abroad. If not, I’ll have to go back to my day job!

Find out more at www.timdanielofficial.com and www.myspace.com/timdanielmusic. 

Putting It To Bed, by Tim Daniel
Label: Universal
Released: 16 June 2008
ASIN: B0017YONPG

Get Putting It To Bed and snuggle up with the sounds of Tim Daniel. Alternatively, why not watch the video for ‘Digging My Heels In’