EW’s Clark Collis remembers sitting down with the iconic artist in 2002.

I probably was a bit [serious] but only because Im very shy.

I neednt have worried.

August 2002

Credit: Christina Radish/Redferns

And you know what?

Yeah, laughed Bowie.

If I remember right, it was me and Dennis Hopper.

We trooped into the hospital with a load of drugs for him.

This was very much a leave-your-drugs-at-the-door hospital.

We were out of our minds, all of us.

He wasnt well; thats all we knew.

We thought should bring him some drugs, because he probably hadnt had any for days!

Hopefully it wont be considered too inappropriate to repeat here Im certainhewould not have cared.

Dopey Dwarf says to the Pope, Are there any dwarf nuns in Rome?'

The Pope says, No.

Are there any dwarf nuns in Italy?

Are there any dwarf nuns anywhere in the world?

The Pope says, Im sorry, my son no, there arent.

The rest of the dwarves start singing: Dopey fed a penguin!

Dopey fed a penguin!'