By Ondrej Zak

HIS music is familiar to millions, but you wouldn't recognise him in the street and that's the way he likes it. Despite Ivor Novello and Brit Award nominations, Roy Stride doesn't see himself as a celebrity; he's simply the lead vocalist in the pop band, Scouting for Girls.

The humble musician has an infectious sense of humour that mirrors the upbeat melodies in his best known hits such as She's So Lovely, Elvis Ain't Dead and This Ain't a Love Song “The band has always been way more famous than us to be honest, even when This Ain't a Love Song reached number one, we could all happily walk down the street without anybody giving us a second look”, says Roy, 36.

Scouting for Girls will be back in Bournemouth performing at Wave 105 Night Air on Friday night, as part of the Bournemouth Air Festival.

“At the moment we're in Liverpool shooting a video for our new single Life's Too Short, but I am really looking forward to coming down to Bournemouth.

“I have been to Bournemouth many times, I love Bournemouth. I have always loved walking around Hengistbury Head. We played the air show in Bournemouth two years ago and had so much fun, it's such a great day out, the whole day is the perfect day for us,” Roy added.

Roy says that he loves the band and has a lot of passion for it, but his real job is writing and producing music for other people. Since 2012, Roy has written and produced records for a diverse array of artists including One Direction, McBusted and Olly Murs.

Scouting For Girls began with childhood friends Peter Ellard and Greg Churchouse who inauspiciously created their first band Cape, above a pub in Harrow. By the time they received an offer for their first recording deal, they had already amassed an extensive fanbase via social media site, Myspace.

The band changed its name with a cheeky spin on the Scouts Handbook: Scouting For Boys and by 2007 they signed their ever first recording deal with Epic.

“It took us 10 years before we got a record deal; we have been friends for 20 years, so we have seen everything and we worked hard for it and that's why we really appreciate every moment we get in this band.”

Roy also says that they don't take themselves too seriously. They see the performing on stage as purely entertainment.

However, he adds with laughter: “Because we've known each other for so long, nobody can act like an idiot. There is no space for divas.”

This professionalism has seen Scouting For Girls adapt to the many changes that have taken place in the music business since they first started.

“The internet is the biggest change. It's kind of like a leveller; it's about how good your ideas are or how good your songs are. Before it was a lot harder, like you don't know anybody at the record label but you had to have a record deal. The internet has completely opened this world up.”

With four top 10 albums under his belt, Roy is adamant that fame and fortune hasn't changed him.

“I'm lucky enough to work with some talented and famous people, but my mates are still my mates since I was 17.”

He then takes a short pause and continues: “But the best thing of it all is when we go out and play in the festival for 30000 people and they are all singing along. That is the best place to be.”

Then proving that he couldn't be any more down to earth, he invites me to join the band for a drink before the Bournemouth show. He's so lovely, he's so lovely!

: Scouting For Girls perform at Wave 105 Night Air on Friday evening. For more information please see bournemouthair.co.uk/night-air