Romy: ‘If I’d had Heartstopper when I was a teenager, that would have been really comforting’

Still smarting from the Lionesses missing out on seizing World Cup glory at their recent finals defeat, Romy is in a reflective mood. The singer and producer ‒ best known as one third of the moody and minimal synth-pop band The xx, and now striking out alone as a solo artist ‒ also moonlights as a defender for the East London grassroots squad Whippets FC, and sees certain parallels between stepping out on stage, and heading onto the pitch for a high-stakes rival clash.

“I definitely relate to that pressure,” she says.”It feels inspiring to see people do it, and it gives me courage when I feel nervous about going on stage or doing something that’s big, and outward facing.”