Heres how the conversation went.

Lets start by thinking about the differences between a voice-only performance and an on-camera performance.

What would you say the major distinctions are?

Certainly the past twenty years I say like Im some sort of specialist theres been a trend towards uber-naturalism.

I suppose is a lazier way of looking at it is that you just throw everything away.

That was the big thing I learned.

How did you come upon this idea, then?

What told you this was right?

They play stuff back to you in the studio and you sometimes think That was really quite boring.

You have to artificially contrive a larger than life way of speaking so that its interesting on screen.

If you watch a television show made by accomplished professionals of childrens TV, its all very expressive.

They do hit those beats.

I think thats also something that I felt.

I think its more interesting to be expressive.

I could be talking crap.

It has music to it, the more expressive performance.

Can you remember your early conversations with Garth [Jennings,Sings director] about this character?

He said I had this idea, I imagined these animals and all the things they can do.

The gorillas were always bank robbers, the rhinos were always police.

And in his head, theyd always been cockney.

Obviously youre a fan of his work, and he is an amazing energy and presence to be around.

They varied, really, from about two hours to about five hours.

The longer ones were for the singing.

I must have done… ooh, about six, maybe.

So about twenty hours?

Yeah, it couldnt have been too much more than that.

Its a remarkable ratio.

Such efficiency, from an actors point of view, compared to a live-action film.

Lets say that took eight hours of tuition on top of the recording.

Probably accounts for two full days work.

Then the actors, were the ones who promote it, who sell the film.

Thats why people are so aware of us.

Ive not heard any of that yet.

It is a particularly weird thing.

I presume theyre then going to sing foreign language versions of the songs?

I think its very interesting what happens to your performance.

Its a pass-the-parcel version of acting.

In an animated film, its not really your role.

Thats a particularly sterile way of looking at it.

Well, you havent given Johnny nothing.

Its a collaborative medium.

Id like to think something of the way in which he expresses himself is born of me.

When youve looked at the film, have you been surprised by the performance Johnny gives?

I was overwhelmed when I first saw it.

I dont think I had actually appreciated the scale of what we were doing.

Certainly in terms of dollars.

Its a big earner and something of the humour in it has really resonated with kids.

Amazing, mind blowing, really.

You mentioned earlier that you had told your agent you wanted to sing.

What else is on your To Do list?

Im desperate to get back on stage.

Id like to do a play and Id like to do a musical.

Or, who knows, maybe a live-action film one.

Youd be a good Arthur Kipps inHalf A Sixpence.

Youre not the first person to say that.

Its the cheeky chappy thing.

But those things are in the forefront of my mind, but I dont think I can really plan.

You must have many more options now than you did five years ago.

With a film like this, the performance is you, the director and four walls.

On stage, its you, the audience and three walls.

When youre doing a movie, youre surrounded by actors.

Is there any plus to doing a performance on your own, as you do in an animated movie?

I know John C. Reilly had a friend come in and act opposite him.

A friend of John C. Reillys is probably somebody wed have heard of…

I found it to be a new, interesting thing, more of a challenge.

I dont want to get to fired so I have to ask you some questions aboutKingsman.

I think it very much is political.

I think I can say theres a presidential thread that runs through the new film.

But I think youre right.

Its a warped, distorted presentation of politics, but I think the themes are definitely there.

Interesting that you say every time.

It puts me in mind of however Bonds we have 24, I think.

Are we going to get toKingsman 3?

Did Mark Millar contribute any of the original story this time around?

He would certainly have been a consultant, but I think Matthew had his own ideas, this time.

Something original that he came up with, a script he wrote with Jane Goldman.

I know he was definitely featured as himself in an early draft of the first films script.

I wouldnt want to spoil it.

But is the second film going back to pick up any of those same ideas?

Matthew knows and likes Elton, and knows that he brings something that fits the tone of theKingsmanworld.

But what it is…

I dont think I can say.

Sing is out in UK cinemas tomorrow.