Sam Smith has revealed they are still 'gutted' they never became a fishmonger, admitting they find handling fish 'very calming.' The 34-year-old singer-songwriter, known for hits like 'Money on My Mind' and 'Stay With Me,' confessed on the Dish podcast that they once dreamed of a life behind the fish counter instead of on stage.
Sam Smith's Fishmonger Dream
'I’m still gutted I’m not a fishmonger. Honestly, I used to go to Waitrose a lot as a kid and the fish section, I just loved. I like to handle fish. It felt very calming,' Sam said. This is not the first time the singer has expressed a love for seafood; in 2023, they joked on The One Show about becoming a 'fisher-them' – a gender-neutral play on fisherman reflecting their non-binary identity. 'I’d just like to end my days fishing,' they said at the time.
Craving Proper British Fish and Chips
While Sam has achieved global fame, they admitted there is one thing they desperately miss now they live in New York: proper British fish and chips. The singer described it as 'one of the disasters of my life right now.' 'It’s like I actually get sad sometimes. Apparently, it’s something to do with the potato, I got told, and the water in New York and you can’t get it the same,' they explained.
Sam also shared their specific preference for fish and chips from traditional chippies. 'I have a thing with fish and chips, right? So, I love fish and chips from fish and chip shops where the chips like stick together. And you’ve got like the silver hot plate when you walk in. But I feel like the gastropub fish and chips ... I call them posh fish and chips, I don’t see that as fish and chips,' they said.
Struggling to Find Authentic Fish and Chips
Even trips back to the UK don't always satisfy the singer's craving. Sam admitted they struggle to find what they class as 'proper' fish and chips in London. 'And even in London, I find it hard to find proper fish and chips. Like my family from Whitley Bay, my favourite fish and chip shop is called Marshall’s there, which is amazing. When people talk about fish and chips, they’re not talking about the same fish and chips I am,' they added.
Sam Smith continues to be one of Britain's biggest music stars, but their longing for a simpler life by the water remains evident.
