Mika - Mika's Creative Mum

Mika says his mother has the biggest creative influence on him.

The 'Blame it on the Girls' star - who has wowed the UK charts with his infectious brand of melodic pop ever since he first stormed the charts in 2007 - admitted he has an unusual relationship with his mum as she acts like a colleague advising him on his musical direction.

The 26-year-old singer said: "She's tough and very talented. Quite eccentric, I think. Very bohemian. She's a designer so we grew up surrounded by textiles and dressmaking and painting and art. There is not a single thing I have done that my mother hasn't seen or heard."

The pop sensation said most people were baffled by their relationship.

He told the Scotsman: "That's not in a motherly way. My relationship with my mother is not cute. We're not like mother and son. We work together. It creates a strain when we suddenly have to be mother and son, and I hate that. Then she gets upset with me. Mother's Day is non-existent."

The Beirut-born singer - who has always been deliberately ambiguous about his sexuality - said he isn't someone who is very easily bothered by what others think anyway.

Despite being the victim of homophobic abuse, Mika said it actually allows him to concentrate on his music.

He said: "It gives you a hard time, ostracises you in some ways, but in actual fact that enabled me to concentrate my energy into writing the music. I don't think I am camp. But it doesn't bother me that people think I am."