On cloud nineties! When music stars from the Spice Girls to Craig David popped out of nowhere

The late nineties to early noughties was the golden era of TV talent shows making sudden pop stars of ordinary people, writes Natasha Wynarczyk.

Music journalist Michael Cragg, who interviewed key players from 1996-2006 for his new book Reach for the Stars, said: “Nearly everyone I spoke to go misty-eyed.”

Here six of his interviewees reflect on those heady days.