DESPITE a school careers advisor mocking his early dreams of following in the footsteps of Pete Townsend, Chris Difford hasn’t had a bad showing.

With more than 30 years in the music industry, the founding member and songwriter of the British group Squeeze has seen a lot of change and through all of it he has risen to any challenge put in front of him.

“While I didn’t manage to become quite as famous as Pete Townsend, we have had similar journeys in some ways,” says Difford.

“My life’s been better for the experience. I’d love to have been in The Who, but I’ve been in Squeeze instead.”

Throughout his time in the music industry, Difford has made a lasting contribution to English music with hits such as Cool For Cats, Up The Junction, Labelled With Love, Hourglass, and Tempted.

But most recently it is his writing in a different form that has had fans talking.

The songwriters book Some Place Fantastic – My Life In and Out of Squeeze is an honest portrayal of his time with the band he formed chaotically in 1973 amid one of the most dynamic periods in British music.

There was clearly no shortage of local inspiration, with the likes of near neighbour David Bowie, who had radically reshaped the traditional pop landscape that opened seemingly infinite creative possibilities, to provide ideas.

So when the newly formed Squeeze recruited a certain effortlessly cool young keyboard player named Jools Holland, the group soon clicked and began honing its act among the New Wave scene.

Difford added: “I see Jools often, we write songs together and eat nice food once in a while. He is fun and inspiring to work with, and yes, the studio (in Maidstone, Kent) is always open to me if I wish to come along.”

Fast-forward several decades from their inception, touring their latest album, The Knowledge, has seen them re-enter the top 30 album charts, and reminded fans of just what made them special the first time around.

And Difford shows no sign of slowing down as he hits the road with good friend Boo Hewerdine on his Acoustic Book tour, which comes to The Forge on Friday, 6 April.

Things may have changed in terms of the 63-year-old’s touring life but being on the road is where he now feels at home.

He adds: “The roads are not as good as they once were, and the time it takes to get from A to B is ridiculous sometimes. But I love being on the road, thought it wasn’t always the case.

“Today, I have a story to tell, and like a troubadour, I’m out on my horse most nights.”

Chris Difford will appear at the Forge on Friday, 6 April. For more information visit anvilarts.org.uk.