Prince of Romance comes out to play To mention his name in the same sentence as Dylan is, of course, a travesty, as is the timing of his comeback: it coincided with David Bowie's, and boy did the papers have some fun with that. What next: will we be hearing Bowie played in lifts? Dylan on a loop when you are put on hold? But don't blame Clayderman. It's not his fault. He didn't even seek stardom. "At first, I didn't want my own career," he tells me when we meet at Olivier Toussaint's house on the outskirts of Paris. "I was "appy being a session musician." I am struck by how little he has changed since those cheesy adverts in the Seventies. The blond fringe still parts in the centre, the hair still just covers the tops of his ears before falling away to his collar at the back. He is friendly and self-deprecating and tells me he has just returned from a tour of China. They are mad for him there, partly because one of his tunes is the default ringback tone on the nation's mobile phones. "In the streets in China, I am often asked for my autograph," he says. The whole family comes to my concerts - especially children because they learn to play my music in schools. In Europe, the audiences are older. Do his fans enjoy classical as well as easy listening? I don't think my audience goes to classical concerts. They prefer things more light. Very often I perform in concert halls and for a lot of my audience, I think it is their first time in these places. I sometimes feel embarrassed playing my music there. How would he describe himself? I am reserved. Shy. Timid. Embarrassed by my success. It seems too much. In concerts I feel fine. When I get on stage I step into character and then I don't feel so shy. In my everyday life, I am embarrassed to be asked to sign autographs. Michael Palin once said that the worst moment in his years of hair-raising travel was when he was trapped on a pink bus in Libya that played Richard Clayderman on a loop for hour after hour. When Clayderman hears his music being piped in lifts, on buses and in supermarkets does he find it insulting? No, no. It amuses me that my music is in lifts and restaurants and you have to listen to it when you are waiting on the telephone. You can hear it everywhere. Instrumental music is easier to listen to because there are no words. It is background. I am happy when people tell me they are relaxed when they hear my music. Does he remember the first time he heard it in a lift? It was many years ago. It still happens to me. And phones. I will be put on hold, and have to listen to my music, and then when the person comes back on the line, they have no idea that it was I who was the one who performed the waiting music. These are funny situations. Does he ever get sick of playing Ballade Pour Adeline? Very honestly, it never happens because I know the audience is expecting this melody and I will perform it differently at each show. That is the challenge - different orchestras, and so different emotions. Adeline was de Senneville's daughter. She is 37 now and Clayderman still sees her from time to time. "She is happy to be associated with the song," he says. After it came out there were many babies called Adeline. They are all aged around 37. So his music was on the turntable playing when they were, er, conceived? He roars with laughter. Because Richard Clayderman is a stage name - chosen because it was easy to pronounce in English - has he ever been tempted to record a classical album under his real name, Philippe Pagès, and see what the critics make of it? I've never thought of doing that, no. But perhaps when Richard Clayderman is finally finished, I will have a break and then try that. But I don't have the talent to compose. I prefer to reinterpret what I am offered. Sorry to be blunt, but how rich is he? It changes. I'm still making money, but I never made money from the money I made, if you see what I mean. I made some investments in property in the south of France which didn't work out. Tax costs me a lot, so I still need to work. And my divorce settlement. Also I'm older than my [second] wife. She is 44 and I am 59 so I will be leaving the world before her. What does he think of Gérard Depardieu leaving France for Russia over the new French supertax? I like him and I sympathise with him. I think I might take Chinese citizenship. I must find out what tax they pay! I have my scoop, I say. First Depardieu, now Clayderman. Another roar of laughter. When I ask him to talk me through his typical day, something intriguing emerges. I wake up very early. Do some work on my piano. I spend time with my wife. I like to clean the house, vacuuming. I like to go shopping. I watch reality TV. I watch stupid things like Star Academy. Hang on, did he say vacuuming? I have to tidy everything up, I cannot bear it. I feel upset. I cannot start practising my piano if I know the drawing room is not tidy. I have a notebook in my bedroom, in which I have to list everything. Rise 5.30, breakfast 6.30, piano 8.30 and so on. I tick everything off and then at the end of the day I make another list. Sounds like he has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Yes, I think I have that, but fairly mild. I'm not crazy. On tour I have to clean my piano keyboard because if there is a mark it will distract me. I like to have gaffer tape stuck on the floor so I can fix my stool in exactly the right place. He is laughing again. Is he a happy person generally? Yes, I never feel depressed. His music is often described as emotional. Does he cry easily? Yes, yes, that happens to me a lot when I am watching sad films. Especially when I am away on tour and missing my family [he has two children from his first marriage]. Classical musicians mock him for his easy listening. Doesn't that get him down? Some musicians who normally play in symphony orchestras are mocking when they start playing with me, but after a while when they have seen me perform, they don't criticise me so much. They can see the reaction of the audience and their attitude changes. They start taking their job more seriously. What about obsessive fans: do women throw their knickers on the stage? They were more demanding and crazy in the 1980s because they were young and I was young. Today's fans are quieter because they have grown up, but there are still some who travel with the tour. They are always there sitting in the front row at every concert. The same faces. Sometimes I feel embarrassed because they have heard all my jokes. But they seem "appy." As does he.  'Romantique" is released on Feb 4 on Decca. For a free download from the album go to www.clayderman.co.uk/romantique