World renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber - who was also London Underground's first official busker - plays in Wimbledon with pianist Pam Chowhan next Thursday, October 14. He spoke to KATE SUTTLE.

Kate Suttle: Are you looking forward to appearing in Wimbledon?

Julian Lloyd Webber: "I played at the New Wimbledon Theatre once before with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and I really enjoyed it so when they approached me I thought, why not? It's a very good venue and I've known Wimbledon and the Common all my life, I'm looking forward to it. The programme will be 'much lighter than what I would usually do - much more informal. I like all the pieces, they are all dear to my heart and they show different sides of what the cello can do."

KS: You're also reading from your book, Travels with my Cello, aren't you?

JLW: "Yes. Writing is a very different creative experience for me from playing music. As a musician I'm interpreting others' music and trying to get into the mind of composers, with writing I'm having to say it myself. When I was writing for the Telegraph I enjoyed it but I didn't find it easy, I'm a bit of a perfectionist."

KS: Who's the best person you have collaborated with?

JLW: "It would probably be Yehudi Menuhin. He'd been such a great string player himself and he worked with Elgar. I played all over the world with Menuhin and every performance was different, it was a great experience."

KS: What is life like as a professional musician?

JLW: "I'd say the adage that genius is 10 per cent inspiration and 90 per cent perspiration is true, in fact I'd go a little bit further. You have to love it, to do that much work. At the moment I'm doing at least two or three hours practice a day, anything less than two is a bad day. When I was a student I'd do about six. It's like being a sports player, you have to be match-fit."

An Evening with Julian Lloyd Webber, New Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, October 14, 7.30pm, £21 to £25.50. Call 020 8545 7900 or visit ambassadortickets.com.