Richard Ashcroft refused to live up to rock 'n' roll stereotype

Richard Ashcroft refused to live up to the rock 'n' roll stereotype people wanted him to be.

The former Verve frontman was dubbed 'Mad Richard' during the band's 90s heyday and people had a perception of him that he was a hellraising rebel like Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards or Iggy Pop..

Instead, Ashcroft settled into domestic bliss in leafy Richmond in London with his wife, former Spiritualized keyboard player Kate Radley, and their children Sonny and Cassius and he has never been happier.

In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, he said: "People wanted me to become this cliched Keith Richards, Iggy Pop character. I wasn't expected to marry a beautiful wife and have kids."

Ashcroft is returning to music with his new solo album 'These People' next month after almost six years away.

The 44-year-old songwriter - who quit The Verve three times with the 'Bittersweet Symphony' rockers last disbanding in 2010 - made the decision to take a break for his own sanity and health.

Making reference to the suicide of Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain, he said: "There's no point writing a suicide note like Kurt Cobain. If you haven't got it, take a break.

"Also I don't want to be on stage when I feel like I'm cheating the audience ... It's like have I got anything to offer or am I just adding more s**t to the pile? All those stabs in the back and ceilings that have been put on me in my life started building up again, so I've come back fighting."