BBMak: Matters of the Heart

The boys of BBMak were one of 2001's biggest success stories... and they'll soon be back and bigger than ever! Our girl in the UK lunched with BBMak to discuss LOVE and all that mushy stuff!

Popstar!: Are you romantic?

Ste: I think so... hope so.

Mark: I think I am, yeah

Christian: No not really. If I had a girlfriend then maybe I would be. I've only had a couple of long-term girlfriends. [That means three months! We asked!-- Ed.]

How do you show romance?

Christian: I'll take her for a meal, buy some flowers... that's about it really. I could write her a song, that would be romantic, wouldn't it? Spending quality time together could be romantic, watching a video, something scary or a bit of action

Ste: I think all men think it's taking a girl out for a nice meal, buying her flowers, buying her chocolates.

Mark: Finding restaurants that are quite intimate, nicely lit. Candlelit dinners are always a nice option.

Ste: Surprise trips!

What would you like a girl to do for you that would be romantic?

Mark: The same things, really. Being together.The thing you want to do is go out to eat. We eat in restaurants all the time.

Mark: I think it's important to show affection with each other, I think that's a very important thing in a relationship. If you're not an affectionate person, then it's harder to gel with someone. You both need to show affection to one antoher and it just grows from there.

Do you find it easy to express yourself to someone?

Mark: Yes! I mean it depends on the person you are with.

What romantic gifts have you given?

Mark: Flowers, chocolates, perfume-- really nice sets wrapped up and I choose them myself.

Ste: Friendship rings. You know what I do? I try to find out what they like. I ask their friends, sister or mum. You tend to know what particular perfume they are wearing at the time. I try and get as much information and then surprise them.

Mark: I remember when we were in school, one of my ex-ex-ex's-- years ago-- we had these chains. It was really soppy and I wouldn't be seen dead with one now. I had "TOGETHER FOREVER" andI had the "TOGETHER" part and she ahd the "FOREVER" on a chain. It was romantic when I was at school. I wouldn't wear one now if you paid me!

You can afford "anything"-- how can a girl give you a present that really blows you away?

Mark: It doesn't matter what they get you, it's the thought that counts. THe little things can mean a lot more than somebody getting you a big present. Mum always says she doesn't know what to get me because I've got everything-- relatives say the same thing. At the end of the day, it's the thought that counts. If you appreciate the little things, that's all that matters.

Christian: She can give me a check! [Laughs.] A guitar. Aftershave-- whatever they like. I like Gucci Envy, Hugo Boss, Versace...

Ste: Spending time with someone you want to be with is a great gift in itself.

How many girlfriends have you had?

Christian: ... I don't know!

Mark: In my lifetime?

Ste: A lot!

Mark: I've always had a girlfriend from the age of ten or eleven.

Ste: At high school, I had about six different girlfriends, which is cool. It's normal.

Mark: I think about six or seven girlfriends.

What are the telltale signs you're in love?

Christian: I don't think I've ever been in love.

Ste: I think when you just need to hear the voice of the person that you are with. You call them and say, "Hello". You need to hear them, not being possessive over them, just to be close by hearing their voice.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Mark: I don't think you can get love immediately. You need to know that person. You are attracted to a person by their looks-- that draws you in to them.

Ste: Lust at first sight. I don't believe in love at first sight. You can lust after someone when you see someone who is really attractive. When you get to meet them, they can be a pain! It's awful when they totally love themselves-- nothing puts me off more than when someone totally loves themselves.

Describe your ideal girlfriend!

Ste: Someone who likes the same things as me. Maybe someone who likes music, going to the pictures, going out on a date. Someone you can talk to and who has different opinions but likes the same things.

Mark: Someone who can be a really good friend you to you, who loves to go out but who also likes cuddly nights in watching a video.

Are looks very important to you?

Mark: It's not the end-all and be-all.

Ste: I like someone who is cute, someone pretty but not stunning.

What's the worst thing a girls has done to you?

Ste: There was a girl I was going out with at school. I had been seeing her for a while, but she ended up going off with someone else-- he was older than me. I was 16, he was 21, had a job and had a car. I bet she regrets it now!

Mark: There was a lad who was like a friend of mine. I didn't know him that well. I was about 15 and I used to go to his house a lot every Friday and Saturday night. There was a girl there that I started seeing for about three months and then I found out that she was--

Ste: -- going behind your back with him!

Mark: Yeah, doing naughty things with him. The lad really regretted it afterwards. [Laughs.] I was very annoyed.

What do you like about girls?

Christian: Er, the fact that they are girls and the fact they are not boys!

Ste: It's everything about a girl. You are attracted to them and the way they laugh, the way they smell, the way they talk.

Mark: Girls. You are attracted to the way they look. They are just different.

Do you like older or younger women?

Christian: It doesn't really matter-- whoever you are attracted to. Usually they are little bit older. "As you get older the girls get younger".

Ste: I don't think it really matters. If it's right, it's right.

Mark: Yeah!

So many popstars think they're God's gift. How have you guys remained grounded?

Mark: I just think it's the upbringing and friends that keep your feet on the ground. My family have never had a lot of money, it's been hard along the way and it just makes you appreciate everything now that we are doing it. I count myself very lucky to have a job that I love, to be able to travel, perform, record music, it's just amazing.