Eighties pop star Rick Astley has a surprise nomination in the Best Act Ever category at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool. The 42-year-old singer spoke to Newsbeat about being shortlisted, what he thinks of the 'Rickrolling' phenomenon and how his daughter thinks his hits are naff. Listen to Rick's interview

So Rick, how did you hear about the nomination? A friend of mine e-mailed me this morning. A bit of a shock really, bit weird I think, a bit off the scale. How do you feel about it? It's very very odd. It's very bizarre. But you know what, pop music is bizarre. To be honest I think they were going to award Ken Dodd as well but he wasn't interested so they chose me. Do you know who you're up against? If you put U2 in a category for anything then you're up against it aren't you? Christina Aguilera's in there I think. She's a phenomenal singer. I think someone's having a wind-up, is the absolute truth of it. Whatever - It's a bit of fun. What do you think of your chances? Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Not a lot. I don't think I'll be buying a train ticket to Liverpool. I think it's a wind-up to be honest. I never took it too seriously while I was doing it and it's a long time ago now so I don't take this seriously either. How do you rate the other acts? U2 - I really think they're fantastic, I've been to see them live a couple of times and they're just pretty amazing. In terms of an award like this - it needs to go to someone like that. How the hell can you use the word 'ever' and stick my name in that sentence? Have your say: Who is your best act of all-time? If you're invited, will you go? And if you win, will you go and collect the award? I don't think I'll go to be honest no - and I don't think I'll be winning anyway. It's not really for me. I'm really happy with the life I've got and I'll just leave it at that. This came about because fans voted online and a lot of people are suggesting that's because of Rickrolling - what is it? This is how Rick looked in his heyday back in the 80s I think it was my Mum - it took my Mum ages to put that many votes in. I think that's why I got up there. It's a bit of weird thing that happened a little while ago where you get sent a link for something and it turns out you get fooled and it's a link to my video instead. I think it was a bit of a grin when it first happened but I think it got a bit boring for a lot of people soon after. That whole thing's been a bit bizarre to be honest. What are you doing at the moment? I do bits and bobs. I still do the occasional gig. I actually enjoy doing that now because it was such a long time since I was doing it regularly. I like getting up and singing my old songs occasionally and just having a nice life. I've been one of those really lucky people that's managed to be a pop star for 15 minutes and then enjoy the benefits of it after. What does your daughter think? Has she heard the news? I don't think she would have heard this news no because I only heard that after I dropped her off this morning. She just takes it all with a pinch of salt. She's aware of the fact that I had hits in the 80s. She thinks that's highly naff on the one hand like every 16-year-old daughter should do of her Dad. I think she's also a bit proud as well, so that works out.



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