Talking of ping-pong: that Prince story. The mechanics of how Prince and Kylie met tells a great deal about the real avenues and byways of the celebrity life. The introduction was effected not through the heads of record companies, or through managers, but because Kylie and Prince share the same drivers, the same security people. Kylie was ushered backstage at a London concert, and they hit it off well enough for Prince to into the studio for a social visit while he was in town. When she turned up, "there were a few jokes flying around", she recalls.

'Where do you want your mic set up!' 'Where are your lyrics? Come on!' So the next time she met him, she handed him some lyrics she had written, entitled "Baby Doll": "Sugar and spice and all things nice/Come and show me paradise/Let me be your baby doll." He took it away and came back with a finished song, Prince singing Kylie's lyrics. (She sings me a little, Prince-style falsetto. Nice tune.) They talk on the telephone every now and then. Sometimes he calls, sometimes she does. Maybe, sometime in the future, they'll record that song. Maybe a whole album. Did he know much about you when you met? "I don't think he knew much, or at least he didn't let on. But he did mention one quote which I said some time back, about him being 'sex on a stick'. Which is funny now that I know him."

The conceited bastard. What did you say? "I think I feigned ignorance, as if I didn't know what he was talking about. Which he probably saw right through."

I think he likes flattery.

"He certainly does, so it probably scored me a point or two."

So you became friends.

"I went to Minneapolis for a while and hung out there. In the studio. [laughs] I'm sure my story could match many other girls' stories. To a point, I must add."

To what point?

"The point before anything really interesting starts to happen."

Did you become another of his pop conquests?

"No. [more firmly] No."

Was it apparent that he wanted you to become one?

"Not exactly."

Because he is famous for... "Famous for being fresh! [laughs] But who wants to be on that list!?"

Was it at all flattering?

"It is, until you stop and think, 'Hang on, I wonder how many other girls have been lured to Minneapolis?' If that's what he enjoys, fine, but I'm interested in him and his music, not the rest of it."

Did you go to his house?

"Yes, I did. It's interesting. The style, only Prince can carry off. I shouldn't tell you too much. We had a game of table tennis."

Did you beat him?

"No. He's very good. I consider myself quite good at both pool and table tennis, and he slaughtered me. I wasn't even in the running with the cool. I let myself down there. With the table tennis, he let me think I was doing all right, then..."

What were the scores?

"I can't remember, but glorious flying leap, trying to do an almost impossible return and landing in the shagpile."

Right where he wanted you.

"[laughs] No. But that is my fondest memory of Prince."