“So then I said ‘*%”!*,” says Francis Rossi, ending a hysterical gynaecological story about the birth of his sixth child that had me rolling about on the floor. But that’s Francis Rossi down to a T. He doesn’t hold back and is happy to discuss life, the world and the universe, his hair, oh, and Status Quo. KATHERINE MACALISTER enjoys the ride.

Francis Rossi is just emerging from his recording studio when we speak.

“Sorry I was miles away” he says. “And it’s all nice and quiet in there.”

Inside his Purley home it’s another story. It’s mayhem. He’s chasing his pet pigeon around the kitchen while some of his eight children flit in and out.

“I really do enjoy it though,” he says, talking about his songwriting, although ask when was the last time he and Rick wrote tunes together and he snorts in derision and launches into a monologue about how he does all the work and nothing’s ever quite right for Rick.

By Rick, he is of course referring to Rick Parfitt, his infamous partner in crime and fellow Status Quo front man.

But if you thought these two were bosom buddies, then think again. Sure they’ve rubbed along together for nigh on 30 years, and had some hair-curdling moments of debauchery along the way – think Spinal Tap – but they don’t keep in touch unless on tour, which is most of the time.

“Thirty years. Yes it’s been tough,” Francis agrees. “And Rick has never asked for my advice in all the time I’ve known him, but then we are both our own people. And we are together so much that people try to make something of that.

“We’ve been together since we were 16, so yes it’s a long-standing partnership, but it’s like marriage – the longer you’re together the harder it gets, so while we bounce off each other we are very different.

“But this is what we’ve always wanted and still want. We didn’t want to be a 1/2/3 hit wonder. We wanted to last and we are still here, so we’re happy when we’re away and then happy at home where it’s quite quiet. It’s the best of both worlds I like.”

Francis’ definition of quiet is different to mine then. Mid interview his daughter saunters in and he has to give her a lift, while a kitten escapes out the back door and a pigeon flaps around the room. So eight kids then? No wonder he’s on tour so much.

“Yes it’s fun and kids keep you young but I hate it when people say that their lives would be meaningless without children – that’s bull. It would just be different, I’d just be doing something else,” he says. “I’d be richer but no less fulfilled,” he adds.

His wife must have the patience of a saint then. (Eileen is his second wife). So was he there at all eight births? He starts counting on his fingers. “I don’t think I ever missed a birth, oh except number five – I was on tour for that, but generally I was there on their actual birthdays. Which is why I’ve never been to a birthday party in my life, their mother does that. I just pay for the presents,” he says launching into a particularly lurid story of one delivery, which I can’t repeat.

“And I love Christmas. I always come home from tour at Christmas and can sit down and do jigsaw puzzles,” he says smiling.

Umm, great, but it’s not very rock-and-roll is it?

Rick Parfitt recently said: “I still like going out on the town, looking the part, but Francis would rather sit at home doing the crossword in his cardigan.”

So what happened to the hard man of rock whose lifestyle was the stuff that most gossip editors dream of?

“People have always thought I was a bit of a Jack The Lad because I didn’t say much and I learnt that a few words could be quite intimidating. It’s only because in the 70s and 80s being a loud mouth was part of my routine. But basically I’m just a coward. I wouldn’t say boo to a goose,” Francis says.

Well surely the hotel trashing stories are true then? “It’s all rubbish. We never trashed them because in the morning you come down and the reception gives you a massive repair bill. It’s just a myth that we trashed hotel rooms, slept with lots of women and then just sauntered out.”

At least I know for sure Francis, 60, did actually cut his hair off – the missing trademark pony-tail speaks for itself. “Yes, but I didn’t know what to do with it .So I gave it to The Sun and they auctioned it for charity and this women won it so I packed it up and sent it to her. And then half way through a Quo concert this woman shouts out ‘I’ve got your hair’,” Francis says in awe. “I just wonder where she’d put it?”

Quo fans are legendary, and show no sign of disappearing. But when you consider world-wide record sales of 118 million, 64 British hit singles, 106 appearances on Top of the Pops, and 33 hit albums in the charts, you can see why.

So does Francis take pride in out-lasting almost everyone else in the business? “When we had our comeback in 1984/85 other acts ridiculed us and now look at them, they’re all at it!

“But then musicians are such a sad insecure lot that we still need to be going out and doing this. Take a look at the big stars around the world, they’re all misfits and most of us can’t sing to save our lives.

“But then I’d still be doing this if people were only paying me £50, just for the chance to get up and stand in front of people.

“I mean look at the X-Factor. They keep choosing the divas, but the one who’s got the X-Factor is that girl from Essex.”

“Stacey?” “Yes that’s the one, she’s really gangly, has the wrong hair, and comes from Dagenham but she’s got the X Factor. She’s just got it.” .

Status Quo’s annual Winter Tour will hit the New Theatre, Oxford, tonight and tomorrow.

Call the box office on 0870 6063500.