Craig David's London

Craig David's debut, Born To Do It, has been voted MTV's second greatest album

Born in Hampshire, the R&B star is an adopted Londoner and one of the biggest talents to have emerged from the capital's music scene. Now resident in leafy NW3, what does he have to say about his London loves and loathes?

What's your favourite neighbourhood?

"I spend a lot of time in Chelsea. There's a restaurant down there I like a lot, and it's a nice place even though I live way over the other side of town, in Hampstead. I run there and back to get to my gym."

Your favourite building?

"I love beautiful buildings. I'd have to say the Houses of Parliament - in conjunction with Big Ben, particularly at night when they're all lit up."

Most hated building?

"Coming over the Westway, that thing.. is it The Ark? Yes. It's got no contemporary style, it's just a blob."

Best view in London?

One of Craig's favourite views is Wembley Stadium - from his terrace

"The view from my terrace over Hampstead Heath. I'm really high up, with a clear view of Wembley Stadium and all the fireworks over London on Bonfire Night. They're awesome."

Favourite open space?

"People tell me that running over the Heath is amazing, but I haven't got around to doing it yet. I think I'll have to get a dog and go for walks instead - and lunch and drinks in the pub."

Most interesting shop?

"I do shop in a few places. I'm a trainer fanatic so I like Footlocker and places like that for their range. There was a pair of Nike Huaraches I got for a birthday once and I kept them in the box until the following year. I didn't want to spoil them just yet."

Favourite pub, bar or restaurant?

"Down in Chelsea, there's a place called Eight Over Eight. It's like a Thai fusion restaurant. It's set back from the road, has a nice clientele and serves lovely drinks. Can I get a free meal there now?"

Most memorable night out?

"There was one, when I was recording my second album. It was New Year's Eve and I was in a studio in north London. We decided to go out and we found a bowling alley, with a bar. The DJ there started playing all my songs and a girl came over and said, 'You really look like Craig David...'

She had no idea it was me. She thought I'd be more likely to be somewhere else, like Miami rather than north London."

How would you spend your ideal day off in London?

Saints versus QPR? That would be an interesting game. That and a bucket from KFC, chips from McDonald's and I'm good... Craig David on his ideal day off

"Football! Who's on TV then? Saints versus QPR? That would be an interesting game. That and a bucket from KFC, chips from McDonald's and I'm good. And a Viennetta to follow."

Where would you take a visitor to London?

"Harrods would be a good start. Oh, they're spending my money? In that case there are some good shops in Harlesden! Then I'd like to go to a big football match, say Arsenal or Chelsea."

Your personal London landmark?

"It would have to be Wembley Stadium I think. You can see it clearly on the way back from Heathrow, and I played there once - in a charity game for Soccer Aid. So that was a personal ambition that came good."

Your favourite fictional Londoner?

"Sherlock Holmes. Why not? He's so famous and they're now doing this new movie about him with Jude Law in it."

Favourite London film, book or documentary?

Another favourite is the horror film 28 Days Later

"One of my favourites is the horror film, 28 Days Later. The scene where they show the motorway going up to Manchester and it's bombed out and on fire... it's a brilliantly shot film."

Which time period in London, past or future, would you like to go to?

"Back to 1998 when the UK garage scene was really building. It was like this sound that no one could say what it was, or where it came from, particularly in America. I'm very patriotic and we've got so much incredible talent over here."

Craig David's Greatest Hits album is out now on Warner Music.