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There’s never a dull moment when The Wanted are around. Or more specifically, Jay McGuiness, the mop-haired joker in the pack who describes himself in his Twitter bio as “hungover or drunk”.

Today he’s somewhere between the two, having been out all night causing havoc on the streets of Clapham, London.

More sensible bandmate Siva Kaneswaran rolls his eyes as Jay entertains the crew, twirls various females around the room and announces his plans to have another pint around midday in order to stave off the inevitable crash. What could possibly go wrong?

But The Wanted have always had a reputation for playing as hard as they work, and given the astonishing year they’ve just had, no one would begrudge them a few celebratory shandies.

Thanks to a little helping hand from Glee, which featured their smash-hit single Glad You Came on the show, The Wanted are hot stuff Stateside. The track rocketed to No.3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts in March and it turned Jay, Siva, Tom Parker, Max George and Nathan Sykes into one of the world’s hottest groups. Oh, and sparked a battle of the boy bands with sworn frenemies One Direction.

They bagged a new manager, Scooter Braun – the brains behind Justin Bieber – and are ready to unleash new material on their millions of fans. New single I Found You is out now and a third studio album is on the verge of release, so there’s lots to catch up on since we last met the boys two years ago, when much of the interview was unprintable, thanks to their penchant for talking filth. And it’s refreshing to find them just as forthright, frank and funny as always…

Max, 24

Fess up, Max, is it true you still live with your mum?

I do actually, yeah. I moved to London when I was 17 and stayed for six years, but then I kind of missed home.

In your old bedroom?

Yes – a single bed, and a video player on my TV! I love it though. But I’m moving in with Andy, from the band Lawson. We’ve been friends for ages, and are best mates. I think I’m going to try to get him to do my washing!

You split with Corrie star Michelle (Keegan, 25) in August this year. Are you still single?

I am, yeah. I’m not dating or anything. I’m just single and getting on with work and the new record, so I’m very busy indeed.

Do you need to have a bit of time on your own after the break-up?

I’ve not long been single, so it takes time to move on from someone who you really… well, especially someone like Michelle, anyway. I’m not ready for anything with anyone else.

It sounds like it’s been a tough few months…

Yeah, but she’ll always be special to me. She’s a nice girl, a great girl, so I just wish her all the best. You’ll never hear me say a bad word about her.

You must get propositioned a lot?

A lot of the time young girls say things and don't really think about it, so you take it all with a pinch of salt.

You got into trouble on Twitter recently (Max hit out at an ex who claimed he’d had “phone sex” with her while engaged to Michelle). Have you learned the dangers of tweeting in haste?

I shouldn’t have done it and I’m old enough to know not to. My dad gave me a bollocking. He said: “What the f**k are you doing, son?”. I was like: “I’m sorry, Dad”, and I deleted it.

The band have a reputation for liking a drink. What was the last scandal on a Wanted night out?

I got punched by some big dude with a beard, because apparently I tugged on his beard. I didn’t tug on it, I just stroked it and said it was awesome, and he laid into me. I had no chance! He punched me square on the chin.

How many pints would you have on a night out?

Probably 15.

What?! And are you on the floor by then?

Nope, I’m always on my feet; you’ll never see me falling over. For longevity, I’d say I was the best drinker in the band.

Ever been tempted by drugs?

When we started this I was 21 and I was told to be careful in London because people would be offering me this and that left, right and centre. But they don’t! To be fair, it’s never interested me. Beer, on the other hand, I probably need to lay off a little bit if I’m honest.

You share management with Justin Bieber. Have you ever fallen victim to his infamous practical jokes?

No, he doesn’t try it on with me, he knows better than that! He goes for the weak ones.

Didn’t he smack Siva in the groin once? Was there much damage?

Yeah, he did a little bit. Well, we’ll find out just how much in a few years when he’s trying for kids.

One Direction recently claimed you were nice to their faces and then trashed them behind their backs…

We didn’t do either. We’re not the best of friends, so it’s not like we are going to go up and start hugging and kissing. And they make little comments in interviews when we’re mentioned. But they’re young, and that’s expected, and I laugh at it. If they’re taking it seriously, then maybe that’s just an age thing.

The clip of you being mistaken for 1D by the US reporter on the red carpet at the VMAs is hilarious (seriously, Google it)…

Oh, that is so funny! I think we were all drunk as well cos it was my birthday. I was quite happy that she obviously thought we were clean-cut and well groomed enough to be them, cos we were actually all in a terrible mess.

Who do you think is the biggest diva in the band?

Tom. He’s not really diva-ish, but he’s very hands-on with everything. He’s literally on emails with management and record labels all day, every day. Sometimes I’m like: “Tom, take a breather, mate”.

Finally, if you could have a body part from any of the other boys, what would it be?

Tom’s toes – they’re the weirdest toes, proper wide. I just want to walk on them to see if it’s like being a duck.

Tom, 24

Tom, you’ve been with actress Kelsey (Hardwick, 22), for two years. It can’t be easy spending so much time apart.

We Skype, but it’s tough. Especially recently cos I’ve only been in the country for about a week in the last four months. But we get on with it and we love each other.

Does she trust you?

Completely. I was first with her about two and a half years ago, but it was just when I got into the band and I was playing away, being a naughty boy. I loved her, but I was like: “I can’t be with you, cos I’ve got to go and just experience this lifestyle.” I experienced it and it was good for what it was, but you come to a stage when having a girlfriend who you trust is far more important than a one-night stand. Cheating on her is totally not worth it. She’s one in a million.

So you got it out of your system and were ready to commit?

Yeah, and luckily she was waiting.

Lucky for you. And you’re not tempted at all now?

You get offers all the time, but it doesn’t cross my mind any more, it really doesn’t. When you realise that you want to be with someone for the rest of your life… I’d hate to disappoint some of our fans who are probably reading this, but when you meet that one person, you just know.

What about other temptations? Have you taken drugs?

Smoking is my only vice. I’ll stop for a month and then I’ll go on a night out and smoke a little bit and then, oh f*****g hell, I’m back on them. And drinking is obviously another vice. But drugs? It happens in the industry, but because we’ve worked our way up and put a lot of time into our work – taking drugs could mess it all up. I don’t see the point. We like a drink, we like to go out and enjoy ourselves, but that’s
as far as it goes.

Your fight with Alastair Campbell at a charity football match, after you’d fouled one of his fellow players last year, got a lot of attention.

That was hilarious! When I came off I was like: “Did I just have a fight with an MP?” Well, he was just a spin doctor wasn’t he?

Are you political?

Yeah, I’m really into politics. I vote Labour and I watch Question Time and Newsnight. But I get p****d off with politicians and governments who have led us into the biggest debt in history, and are continually breaking promises. Like the Lib Dems on tuition fees. The top rate is £9,000 a year? Who can afford £27,000 to study? It’s ridiculous.

Which celebrity annoys you the most?

I could pick any of the TOWIE cast. I can’t watch it, I find it so mind-numbing. I’d rather sit there and watch something educational or the Discovery Channel, something that will stimulate my mind. I’m sure people like it, but it doesn’t stimulate me in the slightest.

Are you the most outspoken member of the band?

I’m sure people see all boy-band members as puppets, but it totally isn’t like that. [The label] love what we bring them, but they f*****g hate how much we are in control cos I don’t think they’ve ever experienced a band like it before. It annoys me when things don’t get done right: Why has the single not been released at this time? Where’s the video? It’s like: “You people work for a record label, you are paid a large salary, why am I doing your job when I don’t even know that much about it?”

Have you been known to throw a diva tantrum?

Totally! I’ve kicked off a lot, and screamed at people down the phone. It’s not about the little things like: “Where’s my tea?” or whatever. I can wipe my own a**e. I’ll kick off about something that I think is really important. Like if we’re doing TV: “Why the f**k are these visuals on there? That’s not what we agreed a week ago.” It’s the bigger things that make a difference to our careers. I don’t want people taking the p**s.

Jay, 22

There’s no actual fighting, it’s just the way it goes in the media. When we first started it was us versus JLS. I’ve met the boys. They’re not angels, but who is?

Are you jealous of Harry Styles’ prowess with women?

I don’t think that’s exclusive to him! He’s done very well publicly. I’ve had lots of fun – more than I would have if I wasn’t in the group because I’m a total dork.

You’re single – is it hard having a relationship when you’re in a band?

Having a relationship at all is difficult, and travelling makes it harder. I think if you’ve got the right girl it’s easy, and you have to work your hardest – now wouldn’t be a sensible time for me to try, because it’s too much stress.

Is there temptation to drink and take drugs when you go out?

Yes. You get advice from your parents not to do anything you’re not comfortable with. But you have to deal with it by doing what you think is right and following your heart. I’m very happy cos I’m still drunk. I have absolutely no idea how many Jägerbombs I did or how many snogs I had last night…

What time did you get in?

Er, we didn’t really get in, we sort of stayed out. I know I definitely, definitely showered though [sniffs himself].

Are there any moments in the band you look back on and cringe?

Our first GMTV appearance [when the boys performed debut single All Time Low]. We ducked on the word “low” and wore the same colours. We were willing to do anything, we were like little, tiny whores. After a while, we changed record label [from Geffen to Island Records].

How long do you see the band going on for?

Boy bands have shelf lives, but our fans are so loyal I think they’ll watch our gigs when we’ve got Zimmer frames. In a year I could be like: “F**k this, I want to get married!” Who knows?

Have you bought yourself anything nice with your earnings? 

I haven’t bought a house or a car as I can’t drive. Mercedes contacted us, wanting to help us pass our tests, but I don’t want to do that because it means for the next year we have to drive a Merc and tell them where we’re going all the time. F**k that. I’ll do it when I’m ready.

Do you think America is a hard market to crack?

I think being British helped. On radio,
we wouldn’t censor ourselves and they were like: “The Wanted are crazy motherf*****s!”

Tell us about the tattoos on your right arm.

Three years ago, I got a tattoo of my pet lizard, Neytiri. My housemates and I all got a compass when we went our separate ways, and then my twin brother [Tom] and I got oak leaves because we’re from Nottingham. I’m working towards a whole sleeve.

What can we expect from the new single, I Found You?

It’s Nathan’s time to shine. That kid has the most powerful R&B voice, but you don’t hear it in our pop singles. Everyone will hear it and think: “That little dude out of The Wanted has a cracking voice.”

Who’s the most pointless celeb?

Do you remember Kinga from Big Brother who put a wine bottle up her?

If you could go out with any celeb, who would it be?

Mila Kunis. She’s a babe and could sink a pint in the pub – I think that’s cool.

What’s the weirdest fan mail you’ve ever had?

One girl tried to convert us to God. She told us we had good souls but we shouldn’t drink and if she could come on tour with us she’d be our spiritual guide. We didn’t take her up on the offer.

Has your soul suffered as a result?

My soul was never that good.

Finally, if you could have a body part from any of the other boys, what would it be?

Nathan’s fingers because they’ve seen a lot of action… on the piano.

Nathan, 19

Was there one moment when you realised you’d made it, Nathan?

The Billboard Awards this year when we were invited to perform. It was a bit: “Really? Like, really?!” I got there and I became a nervous wreck. I was in shock at what was happening. The dressing room order went: Usher, then us, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Stevie Wonder.

Did you get to meet Stevie?

Our manager Scooter called me to the room and said: “Nathan, come here. I’ve got someone I want you to meet.” And I walked in and it was Stevie Wonder, and I cried my eyes out. I was like an absolutely massive girl but it was just like a dream come true.

How did you find playing at Romeo Beckham’s birthday?

I rang my mum and I went: “We just went to Romeo Beckham’s 10th birthday party and I just got battered at go-kart racing by David Beckham.” They are such a lovely down-to-earth family and the kids are so grounded.

You were only 16 when the band started – did you find it tough?

Yeah, it was weird when I started – quite hard for me I think because I was only 16 and Tom and Max were 21. That’s a big gap. Obviously they were out on the p**s and getting loads of girls, and I was doing my homework.

Did you find them intimidating?

Yeah, I just wouldn’t talk. I was quite intimidated by them, because I didn’t know what to do. And then I tried to be like them to impress them and they were like: “Who’s this kid?” Me and Tom had a falling out because I was trying to be him, which made him dislike me even more. We all sat down and he said: “I’m me, you’re you. Let’s be ourselves.” And after that it was fine and we just clicked.

Can you stick up for yourself now?

I think I’m old enough now, I can give it back, and I’ve learned their weak spots!

Who are you closest to in the band?

I don’t know – they’re all very different. With Siva, you sit in a sophisticated bar and have a right laugh. Go out with Jay if you want to get smashed, but you have to remember that you’ll probably have to put him to bed. Pick Tom if you want to go clubbing, and Max is more of a pub man who you drink a load of beers and go to watch the football with.

Max claims he’s always the last man standing…

He wasn’t the other night.

Oh, really?

No, me and Jay carried him to bed, so I don’t know what he’s talking about. I think he’s in denial.

Did your mum worry about you going off the rails?

Yeah. She reminded me that she’d brought me up to be sensible and respectful and then she said: “I’m too young to be a grandparent, so be careful.” She’s quite relaxed now, but she was worried at the beginning and she’d ask the boys not to lead me astray.

Are you dating singer Dionne Bromfield?

No. We’re really good friends and obviously when you’re really good friends with a girl everyone reckons you’re dating. I’m not desperate for a girlfriend, but if the right girl comes along then great.

Have you had your share of fun over the past couple of years?

Yeah, I’ve had fun. I’m not going to go crazy and go with a different girl every night. But yeah, I’ve had my share of fun.

Who threw the last band tantrum?

Based on an email we got yesterday – Siva. He was refusing to go to Vegas for a club gig and then promo the next day. He was like: “Everyone’s going to be p****d for the gig and the promo. It’s going to be a shambles. A total mess. I refuse to go.” It was a brilliant email. I sat there and I laughed for a long time.

Not that you can drink in the States, though, being under 21…

I think I got banned from most clubs in Las Vegas last time. My face was on the door of every club. I got shown the sign and it was just my face and a notice saying: “Do not let this man in”.

That must be annoying when the rest of the guys are going out and having fun?

Yeah, and of course the hotels all do their research so I go to the minibar in my room and it’s not a bar, it’s like a snack box. There was Capri-Sun in there last time. How embarrassing.

Finally, if you could have a body part from any of the other boys, what would it be?

I’ve got to be careful here haven’t I? I was just going to say Max’s liver because I bet it must be really strong, but actually it’s probably in pieces.

So best not have that, then!

Actually, Max’s ears. Max has got a thing for ears – he goes round touching everyone’s ears. He does it to everyone, but no one ever does it to him, so I want to have a day where I just don’t have my ears bothered.

Siva, 23

Siva, are you the diva? It rhymes!

They do call me Siva the Diva. My backstage demands are Chipsticks, toffee popcorn, razors and a meat box.

You’ve been with your girlfriend (Nareesha McCaffrey, 23, a shoe designer) for five years now. Is she jealous of the attention you get?

Yes, in the beginning. Going from having a normal boyfriend to one who has all these girls after him, she did get jealous. But she now talks to fans on Twitter. Our fans have taken her in.

Do we hear wedding bells?

I think it’s very possible [cracks a big smile]. We’ve been together for five years now and the clock is ticking.

Is there anything that frustrates you about being in the band?

Record labels make me angry. It’s like they’ve got this right to say what they want you to be – how you talk, your image, your hair, your music. If Max grew his hair and I shaved mine it would be really weird for the record label – every artist is a product.

You share a manager, Scooter Braun, with Justin Bieber in the States. Are you are Belieber?

When we’re in town we hang out. The first time we met he shot at me with an airgun, last time he hit me in the balls, smacking me right in the left testicle. I’m after revenge!

The band were together for a year and a half before you made it into the charts. Do you wish you’d found fame quicker?

Programmes like The X Factor make you famous very fast and don’t prepare you for what you’re going to face. In the beginning, we were going to club gigs and getting bottled and shouted at. It makes you deal with negativity and that made us stronger.

Your new single is about reaching out to somebody in your darkest hour. Do you have down days?

Loads. Sometimes it can be over the smallest things. I’ve got seven siblings and they’re all in Ireland and it’s hard being away from them. The other day, my nephew said my name as his first word because he watches me on TV all the time, but I wasn’t there. Missing those essential things really gets to me.

You’ve got an identical twin brother, Kumar. Does he pretend to be you to blag free stuff?

Fans think he’s me and get pictures with him – and he blags entry into clubs. He still models so he walks into castings and gives my name to secure the job. He milks it as much as he can!

How do the American fans differ from your UK fans?

The American fans have better teeth and dental hygiene. English fans just want to know everything about you.

Finally, if you could have a body part from any of the other boys, what would it be?

Jay’s legs. He trained as a dancer and they’d stand me in good stead in a fight. Maybe with Justin Bieber!

Styling: David Hawkins at Frank Agency Hair: Dino Pereira at HMS Creative using Kiehl’s Grooming: Haleigh Maskall at HMS Creative using Clinique Skin Supplies For Men Additional photography: PA. Getty images, Pacific Coast News, Xposure, Goff, Rex Features