UK Female Artistes at No. 1
British females who have hit the top spot in the UK singles pop charts
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- Actress
- Composer
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born May 5, 1988) is a British singer-songwriter who has sold millions of albums worldwide and won a total of 15 Grammys as well as an Oscar. Adele's first two albums, 19 and 21, earned her critical praise and a level of commercial success unsurpassed among her peers. After becoming a mom in 2012, Adele returned to the charts with the ballad "Hello" in 2015, the lead single from what was dubbed her comeback album 25. In 2017 she won five Grammys for her work on 25, including album, record and song of the year.Early on, Adele developed a passion for music. She gravitated toward the songs of Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige and Destiny's Child. But her true, eye-opening moment came when she was 15 and she happened upon a collection of Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald records at a local shop. "There was no musical heritage in our family," Adele told The Telegraph in a 2008 interview. "Chart music was all I ever knew. So when I listened to the Etta James and the Ella Fitzgerald, it sounds so cheesy, but it was like an awakening. I was like, oh, right, some people have proper longevity and are legends. I was so inspired that as a 15-year-old I was listening to music that had been made in the '40s."While clearly bright, Adele wasn't oriented towards traditional classroom settings. Instead, her mother enrolled her in the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology, which counts Amy Winehouse as an alum.While at school, Adele cut a three-track demo for a class project that was eventually posted on her MySpace page. When executives at XL Recordings heard the tracks, they contacted the singer and, in November 2006, just four months after Adele had graduated school, signed her to a record deal.
Adele has recorded a total of three studio albums since the beginning of her career in 2008: 19, 21 and 25.
'19' (2008) Adele's debut album, 19, which is named for the singer's age when she began recording the project, went on sale in early 2008. Led by two popular lead singles, "Adele: Hometown Glory (2009)" and "Adele: Chasing Pavements (2008)" the record rocketed Adele to fame. Released in the United States through Columbia Records, 19 resonated with American audiences, much as it had with British music fans. Adele cemented her commercial success with an appearance in October 2008 on Saturday Night Live (2016). At the taping of the show, the album was ranked No. 40 on iTunes. Less than 24 hours later, it was No. 1.
'21' (2011) Adele's much anticipated follow-up album, 21, again named for her age at the time of recording, did not disappoint upon its release in early 2011. Tapping even deeper into Adele's appreciation for classic American R&B and jazz, the record was a monster hit, selling 352,000 copies within its first week. Anchored by hits like "Adele: Rolling in the Deep (2010)" and "Adele: Someone Like You (2011)" 21 placed Adele in rarified air. In February 2011, she found herself with two Top 5 singles and a pair of Top 5 albums in the same week, becoming the only artist besides The Beatles and 50 Cent to achieve that milestone. And with 21 staying at No. 1 for 11 weeks, Adele also broke the solo female artist record previously held by Madonna's Immaculate Collection for consecutive weeks atop the album charts. 21 went on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide.
'25' (2015) On October 22, 2015, Adele announced that she would release her third album, 25, in November. She posted 25's cover on Instagram, and said of her first full-length studio project in several years: "My last record was a break-up record, and if I had to label this one, I would call it a make-up record. Making up for lost time. Making up for everything I ever did and never did. 25 is about getting to know who I've become without realizing. And I'm sorry it took so long but, you know, life happened." 25, released in November 2015, is a collection of emotional, sometimes plaintive songs looking at the ins and outs of relationships, owing much of its sound to traditional pop craft. The album went on to become an international smash hit, reaching No. 1 on iTunes in 110 countries. In the U.S., 25 sold 3.38 million copies in seven days, beating the 'NSync record of 2.42 million album copies sold in a week. Among other feats, 25 is also the only album to reach a million copies sold in the U.K. in 10 days."Someone Like You" (2011)
"Hello" (2015)- Music Artist
- Actress
- Composer
Lily Rose Beatrice Allen is an English singer-songwriter and actress. She is the daughter of actor Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. Her music career began in 2005 when she made some of her vocal recordings public on Myspace and the publicity resulted in airplay on BBC Radio 1 and a contract with Regal Recordings. Her first mainstream single, "Smile", reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in July 2006. Her debut record, Alright, Still, was well received, selling over 2.6 million copies worldwide and bringing Allen nominations at the Grammy Awards, the Brit Awards, and the MTV Video Music Awards."Smile" (2006) "The Fear" (2008) "Somewhere Only We Know" (2013)- Actress
- Composer
- Music Department
All Saints is known for The Beach (2000), The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) and All Saints: The Video (1998)."Never Ever" (1997) "Under the Bridge" / "Lady Marmalade" (1998) "Bootie Call" (1998) "Pure Shores" (2000) "Black Coffee" (2000)- Composer
- Actress
- Producer
Tasmin Archer was born on 3 August 1963 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK. She is a composer and actress, known for Tasmin Archer: Sleeping Satellite (1992), Love Like Hers (2012) and Tasmin Archer: Lords of the New Church (1993)."Sleeping Satellite" (1992)- Actress
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Atomic Kitten is known for Bring It On (2000), National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002) and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004)."Whole Again" (2001) "Eternal Flame" (2001) "The Tide Is High (Get the Feeling)" (2002)- Music Department
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Winifred Atwell was born on 27 February 1910 in Tunapuna, Trinidad. She is known for Sunstruck (1972), Pot Black (1969) and The Hagenbeck Story (1971). She was married to Lew Levisohn. She died on 27 February 1983 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia."Let's Have Another Party" (1954) "The Poor People Of Paris" (1956)- Actress
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Sam Bailey was born on 29 June 1977 in Bexley, London, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Sam Bailey: Skyscraper (2013), Wrongfully Convicted (2021) and The X Factor UK (2004). She has been married to Craig Pearson since 29 January 2003. They have three children."Skyscraper" (2013)- Music Department
- Actress
- Composer
Shirley Bassey was born in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales, and raised in the nearby working class neighborhood of Splott. Her mother was originally from Yorkshire, and her father was a Nigerian seaman who left the family when she was less than two. She later helped to support her family by working in an Enamelware factory. She made her professional debut at 16 appearing in a touring revue "Memories of Al Jolson". Her first major hit was "The Banana Boat Song," and she later sang "Goldfinger" in the James Bond movie Goldfinger (1964). Her younger daughter died of drowning in 1985. She currently lives in Monte Carlo."As I Love You" (1959) "Reach for the Stars" c/w "Climb Ev'ry Mountain (1961)- Music Department
- Actress
- Composer
Natasha Bedingfield was born on 26 November 1981 in Haywards Heath, Sussex, England, UK. She is an actress and composer, known for Morning Glory (2010), From Russia with Love (2005) and What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012). She has been married to Matt Robinson since 21 March 2009. They have one child."These Words" (2004)- Actress
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Amelle was born on 22 April 1984 in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Plastic (2014), Sugababes vs. Girls Aloud: Walk This Way (2007) and Sugababes: Follow Me Home (2006). She was previously married to Marcio Sousa Rosa ."About You Now" (with Sugababes 2007) "Never Leave You" (with Tinchy Stryder) (2009)- Actress
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- Writer
Jane Birkin was born on 14 December 1946 in London, England, UK. She was an actress and director, known for Evil Under the Sun (1982), Blow-Up (1966) and Death on the Nile (1978). She was married to John Barry. She died on 16 July 2023 in Paris, France."Je t'aime... moi non plus" (with and Serge Gainsbourg 1969)- Actress
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Cilla Black was born on 27 May 1943 in Liverpool, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Last Night in Soho (2021), Hellboy (2019) and Cilla (1968). She was married to Bobby Willis. She died on 1 August 2015 in Estepona, Spain."Anyone Who Had a Heart" (1964) "You're My World" (1964)- Actress
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- Producer
Born on May 29, 1975 in Leeds, England, Melanie Brown became a member of Spice Girls in 1994. Their three albums sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and they had nine singles at number 1 in the UK.
"Hot" was her first solo album, released on 9th October 2000. It entered the UK charts at #28. Despite producing 2 Top 5 singles (3, if you include the hit "I Want You Back"), the album only ever re-entered the chart once after dropping out of the Top 100 - peaking at #95 when "Feels So Good" was being promoted in February 2001. To date, the album has sold about 50,000 copies in the UK. The album sold 8,000 copies in its first week.
After she parted with Virgin Records, she started a new successful career as TV presenter and actress. In 2001, her own show This Is My Moment (2000) was a great success and, after the second series, she made a documentary about Africans voodoos.
In 2002, she was one of the protagonists of the BBC3's sit-com Burn It (2003) and made her theater debut with "The Vagina Monologues" in London.
She has a lead role in two upcoming movies: the horror LD 50 Lethal Dose (2003) and the comedy The Seat Filler (2004) (with Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child).
From April to September 2004, she played the role of "Mimi" in the famous musical "Rent" on Broadway.
In 2005, Melanie released her second solo album, "L.A. State Of Mind", featuring the single "Today". Both the single and the album flopped..."Wannabe" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Say You'll Be There" (with Spice Girls 1996) "2 Become 1" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Spice Up Your Life" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Too Much" (with Spice Girls 1997)"I Want You Back" (featuring Missy Elliott 1998) "Viva Forever" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Goodbye" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Holler" / "Let Love Lead the Way" (with Spice Girls 2000)- Actress
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Emma Lee Bunton was born on the 21st January 1976 in Finchley, North London to parents Pauline, a karate instructor, and Trevor, a milkman. They split up when Emma was 11, and she stayed with her mum. She also has a younger brother, P.J. (Paul) who she is very close to. Emma's career began at an early age when she started doing modeling work for such things as Mothercare, Mentadent P toothpaste and Polly Pocket. She attended the famous Sylvia Young Drama School in London, during which time she auditioned for several TV parts including that of "Bianca" in EastEnders (1985), but none of them really panned out. She can be seen briefly in both EastEnders (1985) and The Bill (1984), but only in minor parts. It wasn't long after she left Sylvia Young's that she joined the Spice Girls (after the original 5th Spice Girl, Michelle Stephenson, left). 2 albums, 8 No. 1 singles and a film later and the Spice Girls are still going strong. Emma is due to appear in the BBC musical drama Sleeping Beauty (1987), which is filming at the moment and will be out by the end of the year. The Spice Girls' 3rd album, "Forever", was released in November 2000 and reached the #2 spot on the UK charts. It also features the Spice Girls' 9th #1 single, "Holler/Let Love Lead The Way". Since then, the Spice Girls haven't worked together again. In April 2001, Emma released her first solo album, "A Girl Like Me", which featured her 1999 cover of Edie Brickell's "What I Am" and Emma's own #1 hit "What Took You So Long". In 2003, Emma released her second solo album, "Free Me", which includes her four hits "Free Me", "Maybe", "I'll Be There" and "Crickets Sing For Anamaria". Her promo tour lead her to the US in early 2005, where a remix of "Free Me" was a popular club track."Wannabe" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Say You'll Be There" (with Spice Girls 1996) "2 Become 1" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Spice Up Your Life" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Too Much" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Viva Forever" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Goodbye" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Holler" / "Let Love Lead the Way" (with Spice Girls 2000) "What Took You So Long?" (2001)- Actress
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Alexandra Burke is truly one of the UK's most distinguishable powerhouse voices, having sold over 5 million records in the UK and with over 200 million streams. The 34-year-old versatile London-born singer has also become one of the UK's most sought-after West End leading ladies. Her most recent role was as The Narrator in The London Palladium production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She will reprise her role as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act at London's Dominion Theatre in 2024.
Alexandra's three studio albums Overcome (2009), Heartbreak On Hold (2012) and The Truth Is (2018) have spawned smash hit singles across the last decade including #1 Bad Boys (Feat. Flo Rida), #4 All Night Long (Feat. Pitbull), #1 Start Without You (Feat. Laza Morgan), #3 Elephant (Feat. Erick Morillo) and #8 Broken Heels. Her debut single Hallelujah was a million-selling chart-topper, a first for a British female soloist, and was the best-selling single of 2008.
Alexandra made her theatre debut in 2014 as Rachel Marron in the highly acclaimed musical, The Bodyguard before stepping into the lead role of Deloris van Cartier in Sister Act in 2016. It was a double-whammy in 2018 as Alexandra starred in Chess at the London Coliseum, followed by Roxie Hart in the West End production of Chicago. In 2019, Alexandra reprised her role as Rachel Marron in the worldwide touring production of The Bodyguard, concluding in Japan.
Alexandra first rose to fame fourteen years ago, winning the fifth series of The X Factor in 2008 while duetting with her idol Beyonce to an audience of over 10 million. This iconic performance has been viewed over 40 million times on YouTube. Debut album Overcome, featured three #1 singles, spent a year on the UK Album chart and earned three BRIT Award nominations. To celebrate one million copies sold worldwide, the album was released on gatefold double white vinyl for the first time on 18th November 2022.
In 2018, in the wake of her beloved mothers passing, Alexandra setup the The Melissa Bell Foundation in her mother's honour. The charity helps disadvantage children gain access to music, dance and drama classes at the world-renowned Sylvia Young Theatre School in London. Alexandra is proudly an official ambassador for Smart Works, The Commonwealth, Breast Cancer Care, WellChild, Diabetes UK and Notting Hill Carnival.
A firm favourite across both stage and screen, Alexandra reached the final of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. Last year she took part in The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer 2021 where she was crowned 'Star Baker'. Most recently Alexandra was the only woman left standing on Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins, winning the show.
Alexandra is writing and recording her eagerly awaited fourth studio album while her debut movie Pretty Red Dress, playing the role of Candice May, will be released by BFI/BBC film on June 16th 2023 following a UK premier at London Film Festival."Hero" (with The X Factor Finalists 2008) "Hallelujah" (2008) "Bad Boys" (featuring Flo Rida 2009) "Start Without You" (featuring Laza Morgan 2010) "Everybody Hurts" (with Helping Haiti 2010)- Soundtrack
Aneka was born on 20 November 1954 in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK."Japanese Boy" (as Aneka 1981)- Music Artist
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Kate Bush began playing piano at a young age and, by her mid-teens, had composed over 200 songs. Her talent caught the notice of David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd) who assisted in arranging her contract with EMI. The first song she released, "Wuthering Heights", soared to #1 in England in 1978. Since then, Kate has achieved a notable career as a singer and musician. Kate began producing her own albums and videos early on. Her growing interest in film was highly evident in the 1985 video for her song, "Cloudbusting", which starred Donald Sutherland, which is a mini-film in itself. Another 1985 video, "Hounds of Love", is a tribute to Alfred Hitchcock. Following the release of her 1993 album, "The Red Shoes", influenced by filmmaker Michael Powell, Kate produced the short film, The Line, the Cross & the Curve (1993), using five songs from the album as a basis for the film in a mysterious, mythical retelling of the tale of "The Red Shoes"."Wuthering Heights" (1978)- Actress
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- Music Department
Born on the 12th January 1974 in Merseyside, England, Melanie Chisholm became a member of Spice Girls in 1994. Their three albums sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and they had nine singles at number 1 in the UK.
"Northern Star" was her first solo album. On the back of the first single "Goin' Down", the album initially went to #10 in the UK charts after being released on 18th October 1999, before going down the chart rapidly. In the US, it peaked at a disappointing #208 after being released on 2nd November 1999. After 5 singles - two of which were UK #1s, three tours, and 18 months of constant promotion, the album went triple platinum in the UK, peaking at #4 on its re-release in August 2000. Sales for the album currently stand at around 3 million copies worldwide (around 900,000 in the UK). The album continues to sell well, and in 2004, re-entered the UK Top 100 for yet another time, as a result of being low-priced in some stores. "Northern Star" has a remarkable Top 75 chart run, which demonstrates its sheer success as Melanie C established herself slowly as a solo artist. "Reason" was her second album, which took 18 months to complete. Released on 10th March 2003, it reached #5 in the UK chart - selling 30,500 copies in its first week. Although it didn't perform as well as "Northern Star", "Reason" has a Gold certification in the UK, with 80,000 copies sold. January 2004 saw the album reduced to £2.99 in all major record shops, but even then, "Northern Star" at the same price outsold it greatly. After the failure of "Melt/Yeh Yeh Yeh", the album is now truly a closed chapter. Although sales stalled after "On The Horizon", it managed to sell 500,000 copies worldwide.
The release of Melanie C's last album, "Reason" in March 2003 meant many changes for her career later in the year. Following the disaster of "Melt/Yeh Yeh Yeh", she parted from her record label, Virgin Records, and decided to go it alone, releasing her third solo album, "Beautiful Intentions", on her own label, Red Girl Records. Following the release of the single "Next Best Superstar" (#10 in the UK singles chart), Melanie will release "Better Alone" in July."Wannabe" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Say You'll Be There" (with Spice Girls 1996) "2 Become 1" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Spice Up Your Life" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Too Much" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Viva Forever" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Goodbye" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Holler" / "Let Love Lead the Way" (with Spice Girls 2000)"Never Be the Same Again" (featuring Lisa Lopes 2000) "I Turn to You" (2000)- Actress
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Born in 1983, British singer Cheryl Cole studied dance, modeled and appeared in advertisements as a child. Her crowd-pleasing performances on Popstars: The Rivals (2002) won her membership to the pop group Girls Aloud and vaulted her into music stardom, virtually overnight. Cole has also enjoyed some success as a solo artist and appeared as a judge on The X Factor UK (2004).Born Cheryl Ann Tweedy in Newcastle upon Tyne, England on June 30, 1983. Cole showed an early interest in dance and was enrolled at The Royal Ballet's summer school at 9 years of age. She also won several modeling competitions and appeared in advertisements, including a pair of nationally televised commercials for British Gas. Cole's breakout moment, however, came in 2002 when, at age 19, she auditioned for the United Kingdom talent show Popstars: The Rivals (2002). After weeks of competition, the show's audience selected her along with four other female contestants: Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. Together they formed the group Girls Aloud, and Cole would spend the next seven years accumulating 20 Top 10 singles, including four songs and two albums that topped the U.K. charts. Cole began her solo trajectory in June 2008, when she signed on to be a judge on Simon Cowell's TV talent show, The X Factor UK (2004). She also released a single, "Cheryl Cole: Fight for This Love (2009)" which quickly rose to No. 1 on the charts. In December 2009, 5 million viewers tuned in to watch Cole host a one-hour special, Cheryl Cole's Night In (2009). Cole had signed on for the American version of The X Factor UK (2004).in 2011, but she was dropped from the show early on."Sound of the Underground" (with Girls Aloud 2002) "I'll Stand by You" (with Girls Aloud 2004) "Walk This Way" (with Girls Aloud and Sugababes - the official Comic Relief charity single 2007) "The Promise" (with Girls Aloud 2008) "Fight for This Love" (2009) "Promise This" (2009) "Everybody Hurts" (as part of Helping Haiti 2010) "Call My Name" (2012) "Crazy Stupid Love" (featuring Tinie Tempah) (2014) "I Don't Care" (2014)- Actress
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Petula Clark was a star at the age of 11. She starred in British concert halls and on BBC radio singing for the troops during WWII. She was a child star in a series of British films from the end of WWII through to the early 1950s,and by 1954 was having hit records. After a move to France in 1960, having fallen for a Frenchman, she had hit records all over Europe ,and by 1966 with such hits as "Downtown" and "My Love" having topped the American charts, became a truly international star."Sailor" (1960) "This Is My Song" (1966)- Actress
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Alma Cogan was born on 19 May 1932 in Whitechapel, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Tank 432 (2015), The End of the F***ing World (2017) and En aftenstund med - (1965). She died on 26 October 1966 in London, England, UK."Dreamboat" (1955)- Actress
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Julie is a stage and screen actress and singer. She is most famous for reaching the top of the U.K. singles chart in 1976 with her definitive version of "Don't Cry for me Argentina" from the musical, "Evita". One year later, she was back in the U.K. charts again with an excellent version of the Alice Cooper song "Only Women Bleed" (#12, in December 1977). As one of the actresses starring in the music business series Rock Follies (1976), Julie had a further U.K. hit with "OK?" which reached #10. Other songs such as "(I Want to see the) Bright Lights", appearing on her album "Julie Covington Plus", were radio hits but no further chart action was forthcoming."Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" (1976)- Actress
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Kiki Dee was born on 6 March 1947 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Summer of Sam (1999), The Lion King (1994) and A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)."Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (with Elton John 1976)- Actress
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Barbara Dickson was born on September 27, 1947 in Dunfermline, Scotland, the daughter of a policeman turned Rosyth dockyard worker. Barbara's mother was a housewife, and the family's strong interest in music led to Barbara taking up the piano from the tender age of five. By the age of twelve Barbara had also started to learn to play the guitar and upon leaving school at seventeen, she moved to Edinburgh combining a job in the Registrar General's office with evening spots as a folk singer in local pubs and clubs.
When Barbara was offered a short-term contract singing at a club in Copenhagen, she was refused time away from her day job, and she resigned, deciding to try her luck as a professional singer.
The mid-to late '60s saw Barbara "paying her dues" as a respected singer on the Scottish folk club circuit, enjoying some success, particularly with Archie Fisher and Rab Noakes. She cut three albums for Decca Records in the early 1970s, which were well-received but Barbara began to become disillusioned with the fading Scottish folk scene of the time, and on the advice of Hamish Imlach and Christy Moore she began to concentrate on the booming folk scene of the North of England.
Fate intervened one evening late in 1972 when Bernard Theobald attended one of Barbara's shows in Wolverhampton and offered to become her manager. So began a successful partnership which has endured thirty years. Around this time Barbara also became acquainted with Willy Russell, who managed a folk club in Runcorn and was himself touring the folk circuit with his group The Kirkby Town Three. The friendship led to Barbara being offered a major role in Willy's musical 'John Paul George Ringo...& Bert', which was to be staged by Liverpool's Everyman Theatre. Barbara was on stage throughout the entire show, singing The Beatles' songs at the piano, and the show became an instant success, quickly transferring to London's West End. Here the show was seen by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, who invited Barbara to sing on the studio cast recording of their new musical 'Evita' - the subsequent single, 'Another Suitcase In Another Hall', released early in 1977, became a huge hit.
Barbara signed a deal with RSO Records, and in 1976 enjoyed her first commercial success, ahead of 'Another Suitcase...', with the single 'Answer Me'. 1977 saw Barbara in Nashville recording the 'Morning Comes Quickly' album, but by 1978 she had signed to CBS/Epic Records and TV exposure in shows such as The Two Ronnies (1971) began her breakthrough to a much wider audience.
1980's 'January, February' proved Barbara's biggest hit to date, and the accompanying LP, 'The Barbara Dickson Album' went gold in the UK. 1982's phenomenally successful "All For A Song" collection cemented Barbara's status as a major recording artist. In 1983 Barbara accepted the lead role of Mrs. Johnstone in a new Willy Russell musical, 'Blood Brothers', which again opened in Liverpool. The show, which provided Barbara with her first major acting role, earned her rave reviews, a West End transfer and the first of many 'Best Actress' awards from the Society Of West End Theatres.
Barbara was also firmly establishing herself as a must-see concert artist, with lengthy sold-out concert tours which took her to every major town and city within the UK, culminating in shows at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall.
Barbara's 1985 duet with Elaine Paige, 'I Know Him So Well', from the musical 'Chess', reached number one in the UK singles' chart, clocking up sales of over 900,000 copies, and the 'Gold' album for K-Tel the same year achieved platinum status.
By 1987, tiring of record company politics, Barbara and Bernard decided to release future singles and albums through their own label, beginning with the live 'After Dark' album.
The early 1990s saw Barbara rethinking her career, and she began to move more towards her folk roots with 1992's "Don't Think Twice It's All Right" and 1994's "Parcel Of Rogues". Away from the pop treadmill, she diversified into acting more and more with parts on radio and television, including a guest role in STV's popular 'Taggart' series.
In 1995 Barbara accepted the role of Anita Braithwaite in Kay Mellor's gritty _"Band of Gold" (1995) (mini)_, about the lives of a group of Bradford prostitutes - the role won her great acclaim and the show went on to run for three series. Other TV and stage work, including the award-winning "7 Ages Of Woman", were combined with recording and concert work and in 1999 Barbara scored another huge success on the London stage with the lead role of Viv Nicholson in the new musical 'Spend, Spend, Spend'. The show won her Best Actress in a Musical at the Laurence Olivier and Critics' Circle Awards that year, and Barbara was honoured by the Queen with an OBE in the New Years' Honours the same year.
2002 saw Barbara releasing her double CD, 'For The Record', combining live tracks with greatest hits, and a highly-successful accompanying UK tour. And with plans for a new album, further concerts, and her first movie role recently under her belt, Barbara shows no signs of slowing down!"I Know Him So Well" (with Elaine Paige 1985)- Actress
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Duffy was born on 23 June 1984 in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales, UK. She is an actress and composer, known for The Boat That Rocked (2009), Legend (2015) and Filth (2013)."Mercy" (2008)- Music Artist
- Actress
- Composer
Sophie Ellis-Bextor was born on 10 April 1979 in London, England, UK. She is a music artist and actress, known for Osmosis Jones (2001), Life's Too Short (2011) and Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Murder on the Dance Floor (2001). She has been married to Richard Jones since 25 June 2005. They have five children."Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" (with Spiller 2000)- Music Artist
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- Actress
Estelle was born on 18 January 1980 in Hammersmith, London, England, UK. She is a music artist and actress, known for Steven Universe (2013), Obsessed (2009) and Ride Along (2014)."American Boy"(with Kanye West 2008)- Music Artist
- Actor
- Music Department
Eurythmics is known for Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and Tron: Legacy (2010)."There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)"(1985)- Actress
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Sian Evans is known for Berlin, Berlin (2002), Kosheen: (Slip & Slide) Suicide (2001) and Kosheen: Hide U (2001)."Louder" (with DJ Fresh 2011)- Actress
- Composer
- Writer
Paloma Faith was born Paloma Faith Blomfield on July 21, 1981 in Hackney, London, England to Pamela "Pam" Oakes-Ash & Jose Ramon Blomfield.
Faith is known for her retro and eccentric style. The singer met her managers Jamie Binns and Christian Wåhlberg in 2007. Her debut album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? was released in 2009 and has been certified double platinum in the UK. The album contains the singles "Stone Cold Sober", "New York" and "Upside Down", and earned Faith her first BRIT Award nomination in 2010. In 2012, Faith released her second studio album, Fall to Grace, which debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart. The album was critically well received and surpassed the success of her debut, earning her numerous award nominations in 2013 and earning a double platinum certification in the UK. The album produced her first top ten single, "Picking Up the Pieces", the top twenty cover version of INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart" and earned her two BRIT Award nominations for Best British Female and British Album of the Year. Faith released her third album, A Perfect Contradiction in 2014, which stands as her most successful album to date. The album spawned the two UK top ten singles "Can't Rely on You" and "Only Love Can Hurt Like This", with the latter topping the charts in Australia. Faith won Best British Female Solo Artist at the BRIT Awards in 2015. Her fourth studio album, The Architect was released in 2017, and debuted at number one in the UK, becoming Faith's first number one album.
In addition to her solo work, Faith has also collaborated with the duo Sigma on the 2014 track "Changing", which charted at number one in the UK, and DJ Sigala on "Lullaby" which reached the top ten in 2018. Furthermore, she has also made feature film appearances in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Dread, the 2007 remake of St Trinian's and Youth. In 2016, Faith appeared as a judge on the fifth series of The Voice UK."Changing" Sigma (DJs) featuring Paloma Faith- Music Artist
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Florence and the Machine (styled as Florence + The Machine) are an English indie rock band that formed in London in 2007, consisting of lead singer Florence Welch, keyboardist Isabella Summers, and a collaboration of other artists. The band's music received praise across the media, especially from the BBC, which played a large part in their rise to prominence by promoting Florence and the Machine as part of BBC Introducing. At the 2009 Brit Awards they received the Brit Awards "Critics' Choice" award. The band's music is renowned for its dramatic and eccentric production and also Welch's powerful vocal performances.
The band's debut studio album, Lungs, was released on 6 July 2009, and held the number-two position for its first five weeks on the UK Albums Chart. On 17 January 2010, the album reached the top position, after being on the chart for twenty-eight consecutive weeks. As of October 2010, the album had been in the top forty in the United Kingdom for sixty-five consecutive weeks, making it one of the best-selling albums of 2009 and 2010. The group's second studio album, Ceremonials, released in October 2011, entered the charts at number one in the UK and number six in the US. The band's third album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, was released on 2 June 2015. It topped the UK charts, and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, their first to do so. The album reached number one in a total of eight countries and the top ten of twenty. Also in 2015, the band was the headlining act at Glastonbury Festival, making Florence Welch the first British female headliner this century.
Florence and the Machine's sound has been described as a combination of various genres, including rock and soul. Lungs won the Brit Award for Best British Album in 2010. Florence and the Machine has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards including Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album. Additionally, the band performed at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Concert."Spectrum (Say My Name)" (2012)- Actress
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In the Guinness Book of Records for the highest UK chart entry for a female debut act, Gabrielle took the charts by storm with 'Dreams'. Her debut album "Find Your Way" sold over a million copies worldwide, and has been followed by the albums "Gabrielle" and "Rise", the latter appropriately titled as a comeback album for Gabrielle (following personal turmoil regarding the widely publicised conviction of her husband).
"Rise" was an album full of songs of optimism and hope for the future, and remains her finest work to date. Born in London's East End to a single mother, Gabrielle is known for her trademark sequinned eye patch, the result of a lazy eyelid. Recently she has ditched the patches for funky sunglasses."Dreams" (1993)
"Rise" (2000)- Music Department
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- Soundtrack
Barbara Gaskin is known for Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin: It's my Party (1982), Lost Belongings (1987) and Top of the Pops (1964)."It's My Party" (1981) with Dave Stewart- Music Artist
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Girls Aloud is known for Run Fatboy Run (2007), It's a Boy Girl Thing (2006) and Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007)."Sound of the Underground" (2002) "I'll Stand by You" (2004) "Walk This Way" (with Sugababes - the official Comic Relief charity single 2007) "The Promise" (2008)- Music Artist
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Jess Glynne was born on 20 October 1989 in Hampstead, London, England, UK. She is a music artist and actress, known for Bridget Jones's Baby (2016), Sense8 (2015) and Jess Glynne: Home (2014)."Rather Be" (2014) featured artist
"My Love" (2014) featured artist
"Hold My Hand" (2015)
"Not Letting Go" (2015)
"Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" (2015)- Music Artist
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Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who conquered the UK music field at the age of 23 and went on to win over fans all over the world within a year. A determined child, at the age of eight, she told her mother that she would become famous one day. She learned to play musical instruments and began writing songs when she was still a teenager. She won a singing competition while in college, and went on to win the 'Brit Awards' with her signature brand of "folktronica" music following the release of her debut EP 'An Introduction to Ellie Goulding'. She immediately made an impact with her unique soprano voice. She has so far released three studio albums, 'Lights', 'Halcyon' and 'Delirium'. As a music and fashion icon, she has been featured on magazines, such as 'Elle' and 'Glamour' among others, and as a fitness enthusiast, she has appeared on the covers of magazines like 'Shape' and 'Women's Health'. A social activist and philanthropist, she has participated in many charity events, especially to support underprivileged children and homeless people.
Her father, Arthur Goulding, belonged to a family of undertakers while her mother, Tracey Goulding-Summers, worked at a supermarket.She is the second child of her parents and has an elder sister named Isabel, a brother named Alex and another sister named Jordan. Her brother, Alex, is a bass player and is part of a band in Hereford. Her father left the family when she was only five years old. Her mother later married a lorry driver, but they eventually separated. Ellie is so furious with her stepfather that she mentioned in an interview that she would punch him in the face if she meets him again. Her mother encouraged her to pursue music as a child. She learned to play the clarinet at the age of nine and started writing her own songs when she was 14. However, she took songwriting seriously only during her college days. While studying at the Lady Hawkins' High School in Kington, she played the role of the Scarecrow in a school production of 'The Wizard of Oz'. She would later pursue courses in drama, politics, and English at the University of Kent.
While studying at the University of Kent, Ellie Goulding became interested in electronic music. She contacted record producer Frankmusik via MySpace and with his help developed her own brand of "folktronica" music through the track 'Wish I Stayed'. During this time, she was discovered at a university talent contest by scout Jamie Lillywhite who started as her manager and later became the A&R. He introduced her to his superior, Sarah Stennett, who advised her to leave university and offered her a house in West London. Jamie soon introduced her to Starsmith, a record producer, who helped release her debut single 'Under the Sheets' on November 15, 2009 and later produced her album 'Lights'. She was already signed to Polydor Records in July, but they decided to release the song from independent label Neon Gold Records to reduce pressure on her. Soon after the release of her debut EP 'An Introduction to Ellie Goulding' on December 20, 2009, she was nominated for the 'Critics' Choice Award' at the 2010 'Brit Awards'. She won the award, as well as the 'BBC Sound of 2010' poll. During this time, she co-wrote three songs for Diana Vickers and one song for Gabriella Cilmi. On February 26, 2010, she released her first full-length album 'Lights', which debuted at number one on the 'UK Albums Chart'. It was followed by her second EP, 'Run into the Light', which contained remix of songs from 'Lights' and was released in August that year. She re-released her album 'Lights' in November 2010 as 'Bright Lights', which contained six new tracks. The album featured a cover version of Elton John: Your Song (1970) which reached number two on the 'UK Singles Chart'.On April 7, 2011, she appeared on American television for the first time on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003)' and performed Ellie Goulding: Starry Eyed, UK Version (2010). One month later, she appeared on Tina Fey/Ellie Goulding (2011) hosted by Tina Fey.On April 29, 2011, she performed at the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, both of whom were her fans. On December 1, 2011, she performed at the White House during the National Christmas Tree lighting.October 5, 2012, Ellie Goulding released her second studio album 'Halcyon', which debuted at No.2 on the 'UK Albums Chart' and topped the chart in January 2014. She released an expanded version of the album, titled 'Halcyon Days', containing ten new tracks."Burn" (2013)
"Love Me Like You Do" (2015) from the soundtrack of Fifty Shades of Grey- Ella Henderson was born on 12 January 1996 in Lincolnshire, England, UK. She is a music artist and actress, known for David Guetta & Becky Hill & Ella Henderson: Crazy What Love Can Do (Acoustic Version) (2022), Free Rein (2017) and Michael McIntyre's Easter Night at the Coliseum (2015)."Ghost" (2014)
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Becky Hill was born on 14 February 1994 in Bewdley, Worcestershire, England, UK. She is a music artist and composer, known for Rudimental Feat. Becky Hill: Powerless (2014), David Guetta & Becky Hill & Ella Henderson: Crazy What Love Can Do (Acoustic Version) (2022) and David Guetta & Becky Hill & Ella Henderson: Crazy What Love Can Do (2022)."Gecko (Overdrive)" (2014) Oliver Heldens featuring Becky Hill- Actress
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Geraldine Estelle Horner (née Halliwell; born 6 August 1972) is an English singer, songwriter, author and actress. She rose to prominence in the 1990s as Ginger Spice, a member of the girl group the Spice Girls. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, the Spice Girls are the best-selling female group of all time. Their slogan "girl power" was most closely associated with Halliwell,and her Union Jack dress from the 1997 Brit Awards also became an enduring symbol.Halliwell left the Spice Girls in 1998, citing exhaustion and creative differences, but rejoined when they reunited in 2007."Wannabe" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Say You'll Be There" (with Spice Girls 1996) "2 Become 1" (with Spice Girls 1996) "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Spice Up Your Life" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Too Much" (with Spice Girls 1997) "Viva Forever" (with Spice Girls 1998) "Mi Chico Latino" (1999) "Lift Me Up" (1999) "Bag It Up" (2000) "It's Raining Men" (2001)- Music Artist
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Leona Lewis was born on 3 April 1985 in Islington, London, England, UK. She is a music artist and actress, known for Avatar (2009), No Strings Attached (2011) and Sex and the City 2 (2010). She has been married to Dennis Jauch since 27 July 2019. They have one child."A Moment Like This" (2006) "Bleeding Love" (2007) "Run" (2008) "Everybody Hurts" (as part of Helping Haiti 2010)- Music Artist
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Little Mix are a British girl group formed in 2011 during the eighth series of the UK version of The X Factor. They were the first group to win the competition, and following their victory, they signed with Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music. The members are Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson. Little Mix released their debut album DNA in 2012, which peaked inside the top 10 in ten countries including the UK and US. This made Little Mix the first girl group since the Pussycat Dolls to reach the US top 5 with their debut album, as well as earning the highest debut US chart position by a British girl group, breaking the record previously held by the Spice Girls. In the UK, the album spawned the number-one single "Wings". The group's sophomore effort Salute, which was released in 2013, became their second album to debut inside the top 10 in both the UK and US. The album produced two top 10 singles in their home country; "Move" and "Salute". Little Mix released their third studio album Get Weird in 2015 and it is their best-selling and longest charting album to date in the UK. The album's lead single "Black Magic" reached number one in the UK and was also nominated for two Brit Awards in 2016. The group's fourth studio album Glory Days (2016) became their first number one album in the UK and was also the longest reigning girl group Number 1 since the Spice Girls' debut album 20 years earlier. The album's lead single "Shout Out to My Ex" became the group's fourth UK number one single, while the second and fourth singles, "Touch" and "Power", became the group's tenth and eleventh top 10 singles in the UK, respectively. The group won Best British Single for "Shout Out to My Ex" at the 2017 Brit Awards; they have also received several other awards during their career, including two MTV Europe Music Awards, two Teen Choice Awards and two Glamour Awards. As of October 2016, the group has achieved four platinum certified albums and eleven certified singles in the UK. With four UK number one singles and highest first week UK album sales for a girl band since the Spice Girls, Little Mix are one of the most successful female acts in contemporary British popular culture. In 2017, Little Mix holds the record for the most VEVO Certified Videos for a British female artist, as well as the most certified videos for a girl group, with 13 certified videos in total. In 2016, they received the title of the worlds biggest girl band and still hold that title today."Cannonball" (2011) "Wings" (2012)- Actress
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Lulu Kennedy-Cairns was born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie in Glasgow, Scotland on November 3, 1948. As a teenager, she toured the northern clubs with her band, the Luvvers. After her initial success with a cover of "Shout" reaching #7 in 1964, Lulu went on to establish herself as one of the biggest-selling British female singers of the 1960s.
She made her film début in To Sir, with Love (1967), starring Sidney Poitier, and performed the title song, which went to No. 1 in the United States, but was only released as a B-side in the United Kingdom with the A-side, "Let's Pretend", making #11. She was one of four joint winners of the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest with "Boom Bang-a-Bang". In 1969, she married The Bee Gees member Maurice Gibb, and moved more into family entertainment, building on the success of her self-titled BBC television show. She recorded a version of David Bowie's song "The Man Who Sold the World", which reached #3 in the UK charts (it hadn't charted for Bowie), and sang the title theme to the James Bond feature The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), both in 1974.
After marriage to celebrity hairdresser John Frieda, with whom she had one son, Jordan Frieda, Lulu's career moved more into occasional adverts and pantomimes. The 1990s saw her divorce again and she released the hit album "Independence" (1993). She also penned, with her brother, "I Don't Wanna Fight", which was performed by Tina Turner on the soundtrack to What's Love Got to Do with It (1993), and at 44 she finally topped the UK charts with the British boyband Take That with a cover of "Relight My Fire". She went on to contribute to the soundtrack of the Tim Rice/Elton John musical "Aida" (1999), front her own short-lived prime-time UK lottery show on BBC TV, Red Alert with the National Lottery (1999), and starred in the film Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? (1999).
In 2002, she released an album of duets entitled "Together", featuring the likes of Paul McCartney, Elton John, Cliff Richard, Sting, and Ronan Keating, along with a best-selling autobiography. In 2003, she released her "Greatest Hits" album, which débuted at #35 in the UK charts. She was awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire at the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours for her services to entertainment. She was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire at the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours for her services to entertainment, music, and charity."Relight My Fire" (with Take That 1993)- Actress
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Vera Lynn was born on 20 March 1917 in East Ham, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Hellboy (2004), Lolita (1997) and Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982). She was married to Harry Lewis. She died on 18 June 2020 in Ditchling, East Sussex, England, UK."My Son, My Son" (1954)- Actress
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Ruby Murray was born on 29 March 1935 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. She was an actress, known for Saint Maud (2019), Belfast (2021) and A Touch of the Sun (1956). She was married to Ray Lamar and Bernie Burgess. She died on 17 December 1996 in Torquay, Devon, England, UK."Softly, Softly" (1955)- Actress
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Elaine Paige, as an actress, recording artist, producer, and broadcaster, has made a major contribution to the modern musical that ensures her own chapter in the entertainment world and justifies the title "The First Lady of Musical Theatre".
She has starred in numerous West End productions and on Broadway and in concert internationally, sweeping to fame when she created her award winning performance as Eva Peron in "Evita". Shortly afterwards, she created the role of Grizabella in the original production of "Cats" and the classic song "Memory" became one of Elaine's many hit records.
Further theatre productions: "Hair", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Grease", "Billy", "Chess" (with her record breaking number one hit "I Know Him So Well" with Barbara Dickson), "Anything Goes", "Piaf", "Sunset Boulevard" in London and Broadway, "The King and I", and "Sweeney Todd" (New York City Opera). She has worked twice with Sir Peter Hall's Theatre Company in "The Misanthrope" and Feydeau's "Where There's A Will".
Elaine has performed in concert worldwide from The White House to The Great Hall of the People in Beijing, from the Bolshoi to Sydney Opera House. She has appeared in many television roles including her own TV specials and Royal Variety Shows. She has recorded 18 solo albums (four multi-platinum and nine consecutive gold) and seven cast albums, and has been honoured with a number of awards: Society of West End Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical and Variety Club Award for Show Business Personality of the year (1978); Variety Club Award for Musical Artiste (1986) and Variety Club Award for Best Actress (1995); Gold Badge of Merit from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (1994); HMV Lifetime Achievement Award (1996); Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (1999); Order of the British Empire for services to Musical Theatre (1995), Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (2004), and Variety Club Special Presentation for 40 Years on Stage (2009). In September 2012, Elaine was given an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by the University of East Anglia and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts at a ceremony in London.
Elaine often takes time out of her busy schedule to tirelessly support various charities close to her heart including The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, The Children's Trust Tadworth, EveryChild, Breast Cancer Campaign, Noah's Ark Hospice, The Lady Taverners, St Thomas' Lupus Trust, and most recently, The Terence Higgins Trust.
2014 marks the 10th anniversary of the hugely successful weekly BBC Radio 2 show "Elaine Paige on Sunday". The programme, devoted to musical theatre and film music, continues to delight audiences of over 2.3 million listeners each week.
Television work has included Elaine appearing as herself in the BBC hit comedy programme Beautiful People; the role of Dora Bunner in Agatha Christie's Ms. Marple story A Murder is Announced for Granada/WGBH, and a guest star role in Where The Heart Is for Granada Television.
In 2005, she completed her triumphant concert tour of Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East and in 2006, she released her new album of songs from the stage entitled "Essential Musicals", followed by a sell-out concert tour of Scandinavia and the UK prior to taking her new show to China. In March 2007, she performed in concert at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Elaine returned to the West End stage in 2007 to critical acclaim in the title role of "The Drowsy Chaperone" at the Novello Theatre, London, for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance in What's On Stage Awards, London. As well as performing in Europe and in the USA in concert, Elaine recorded a track with Secret Garden, "The Things You Are You To Me", for their number one quadruple-platinum selling album.
September 2008 marked the 40th anniversary of Elaine's West End debut and was celebrated with a book entitled "Memories" and a sell-out international celebratory concert tour across the world including Scandinavia, China, the UK, and Ireland (which resulted in a live CD release "Elaine Paige Live - Celebrating A Life On Stage"), and continued in October of 2009 across Australia and New Zealand where the Sydney concert was filmed for DVD release in March 2010 entitled "Elaine Paige Celebrating A Life On Stage".
On her return to the UK, Elaine sang "I Know Him So Well" with Susan Boyle on her TV special I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story. Elaine also performed at the 2010 Cheltenham Jazz Festival showcasing a brand new jazz set to an enthralled audience.
November 2010 saw the release of Elaine's brand new studio album, "Elaine Paige & Friends". Recorded in New York and produced by legendary record producer Phil Ramone for Rhino/Warner Bros Records, it features duets with 14 of her favourite musical performers, and entered the Top 20 in the UK, where Elaine was awarded a gold disc for sales over 100,000 by the end of the year.
Elaine return to the concert stage in February 2011 after which she flew to the US to star as Carlotta Campion in Stephen Sondheim's "Follies" at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, receiving critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike.
Following an intimate concert at Chichester Cathedral as part of the 2011 festivities, Elaine returned to the USA to reprise her role in "Follies", this time on Broadway. "Follies" opened at the Marquis Theatre in New York on September 12, and once again the critics were unanimous in their praise for her performance; she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical.
2012 kicked off with Elaine performing two concerts at New York's Lincoln Center - her debut concert performances in New York, which the New York Daily News said "After 34 years, London theatre legend Elaine Paige finally got to sing 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' on a New York stage. It was worth the wait." After a short break, "Follies" moved to the West Coast of America in May to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited six-week-only, sold-out engagement.
The year ended with a series of successful concert appearances in New Zealand, Australia, and the Far East, and two special concerts in the UK - one at Raymond Blanc's La Manoir in Oxford and the other for The Prince's Trust at the Central Hall Westminster in London.
As 2013 commenced, Elaine was nominated and won the 2012 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Touring) and the original cast recording of "Follies", featuring Elaine, was included in the category Best Musical Theater Album in the 55th Grammy Award nominations. Following a tour of Scandinavia, Elaine completed her first ever concert tour of the USA, playing to sell out audiences and garnering rave reviews.
2014 kicked off with The Elaine Paige Show on Sky Arts TV. The series was a unique glimpse into the fascinating world of musical theatre and combined a mix of songs, performance, and interviews as Elaine was joined each week by a variety of guests from stage and screen. As the series went to air, a brand new Warner CD The Ultimate Collection was released to celebrate Elaine's 50th year in the business featuring hits, rare unreleased tracks and a brand new re-mix of "Be On Your Own" from the musical "Nine" by Almighty Records.
The year ended with a sell-out UK tour including a spectacular night at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra which was not only broadcast on BBC Radio 2, but was filmed and released in cinemas worldwide and later as a live DVD/CD as I'm Still Here.
2015 saw Elaine continue her 50th Anniversary tour, perform live at the V.E. Day 70 Concert at London's Horse Guards Parade Ground, top the bill at some summer festival dates in the UK, and take on two very different acting roles - one in the indie film Speed Love, which is a thriller based around a speed dating event due for release in 2016, and the other in Russell T. Davies' adaptation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", in which Elaine played the role of Mistress Quince, head of the mechanicals and director of the play within the play, which aired on BBC1 TV on Monday, 30 May 2016.
In early 2016, Elaine announced a series of weekend concerts entitled Stripped Back, which saw her perform her favourite tracks, from an array of contemporary songwriters with a small group of musicians, in some of the UK's most beautiful venues
And so with these recent projects, along with her continued success on BBC Radio 2 with "Elaine Paige On Sunday" and much more planned for the future, it's very fitting for the title of her most recent cinema and DVD release to be ... I'm Still Here!"I Know Him So Well" (with Barbara Dickson 1985)- Actress
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Wendy Richard, was born in Middlesborough to Henry and Beatrice Emmerton who moved to London when she was 5. and there they ran The Shepherds Tavern in Mayfair. Her father commited suicide due to depression when she was 11. She was educated at St Georges School in Mount Street, Mayfair, London and at a boarding school then while still in her teens became a shop assistant at Fortum and Masons but was fired on her second day for not selling anything. She then joined the Italia Conti stage school at 16 but refused elocution lessons as she didn't want to do voice exercises. Her first big break was when she did voice on the Mike Sarne record 'Come Outside' which went to number one in 1962 the charts but all she got out of it was £ 15. David Croft then cast her in the comedy series Hugh and I and nurtured her career resulting in appearances in such series as The Likely Lads, Newcomers, Up Pompeii, Dads Army and Eastenders. She had a part in the Beatles film Help but was cut out of it but survived in the comedy Bless This House. The day after her mothers funeral she married music publisher Leonard Black in May 1972 but it only lasted 5 months. Afraid of being on her own she then married advertising executive Will Thorpe but their relationship became turbulent and developed into violent abuse resulting in a divorce in 1984. Her 3rd marriage was to Paul Glorney, a carpet fitter, but they divorced in 1994. In February 1996 she met John Burns, a painter and decorator and they lived together before marrying in October 2008, In 1996 she had discovered a lump on her breast which turned out to be cancerous but she was given the all clear after an operation, There was a recurrence of it in 2002 and after further treatment she was again given a clean bill of health until in 2008 when a check up revealed that she had cancerous cells in her breast and that they had spread through her body. She made a half hour television Programme 'Wendy Richard: To Tell You the Truth' documenting the last few months of her life which was broadcast in March 2009"Come Outside" (1962) Mike Sarne featuring Wendy Richard- Actress
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Sandie Shaw was born on 26 February 1947 in Dagenham, Essex, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Last Night in Soho (2021), Because I Said So (2007) and The Boat That Rocked (2009). She is married to Tony Bedford. She was previously married to Nik Powell and Jeff Banks."(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" (1964) "Long Live Love" (1965) "Puppet on a String" (1967)- Music Artist
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Spice Girls is the biggest female girlgroup of all time. Their albums "Spice" (1996), "Spice World" (1997) and "Forever" (2000) was sold at 86 millions worldwide and all singles including "Wannabe", "Say You'll Be There", "2 Become 1", "Mama", "Who Do You Think You Are", "Spice Up Your Life", "Too Much", "Stop", "Viva Forever", "Holler", "Let Love Lead The Way" and "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)", became anthems for an whole generation. They are also the main characters of the movie Spice World (1997) and Spice World (1998)."Wannabe" (1996) "Say You'll Be There" (1996) "2 Become 1" (1996) "Who Do You Think You Are" / "Mama" () "Spice Up Your Life" (1997) "Too Much" (1997) "Viva Forever" (1998) "Goodbye" (1998) "Holler" / "Let Love Lead the Way" (2000)- Music Artist
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Dusty Springfield has been acknowledged around the world as the best female soul singer that Britain ever produced. With her oddly erotic, throaty voice, she racked up a string of hits from the 1960s onwards. Born in London to Irish parents, Dusty grew up in and around London. Her early work included an all-girl trio, "The Lana Sisters" and, then, with her brother Tom Springfield (Dion O'Brien), The Springfields. Inspired by Phil Spector's "wall of sound", Dusty recorded her first pop song "I Only Want to Be with You" in 1963. It reached No. 4 in the charts and was the first song played on the new BBC TV pop show Top of the Pops (1964). The sixties brought a steady succession of top-ten hits and a lifestyle to match. However, Dusty used to campaign to get the little-known American soul singers a better audience in the United Kingdom which led to her own show The Sound of Motown (1965). In 1970, she moved to America and, although she attempted a few come-back tours, they never really worked. However, time in the studio did produce the seminal album, "Dusty in Memphis". A downward spiral of drugs and drink followed for most of the latter seventies but then she overcame these problems and, helped by lifelong fans "The Pet Shop Boys", came back with songs such as "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" and the album "Reputation". Cancer was diagnosed in 1994 and, although it was kept at bay for quite a while, it finally got her."You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (1966)- Actress
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"Freak like Me" (2002) "Round Round" (2002) "Hole in the Head" (2003) "Push the Button" (2005) "Walk This Way" (with Girls Aloud - the official Comic Relief charity single 2007) "About You Now" (2007)- Music Department
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Jackie Trent was born on 6 September 1940 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England, UK. She was an actress and composer, known for Heartbeats (2010), The Girl from the Red Cabaret (1973) and The Persuaders! (1971). She was married to Colin Gregory and Tony Hatch. She died on 21 March 2015 in Ciutadella, Minorca, Balearic Islands, Spain."Where Are You Now (My Love)" (1965)- Music Artist
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Born on June 8, 1951 in Skewen, Neath, Wales. She first came to prominence in 1976 with the song, "Lost in France", which made the UK top 10. Following a throat operation, she inadvertently developed her distinct singing voice. She had a transatlantic top 5 hit with "It's a Heartache" in 1978.
She hit the big time when she became the first Welsh singer to have a transatlantic #1 hit with Jim Steinman's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (1983), for which she was Grammy nominated. The accompanying album "Faster than the Speed of Night" also entered the UK Album chart at #1.
She has found it hard to repeat the success, but recorded "Holding Out for a Hero" (US #34/UK #2) in 1985 from the Footloose (1984) soundtrack. In 2004 she recorded the Total Eclipse song in French, and it went to #1 in France!
She remains active in the music industry having toured all over the world, including with the singer Meat Loaf, and performed at Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-Jones' wedding. Also, she has become a successful business woman."Total Eclipse of the Heart" (1983) "Let it Be" (Ferry Aid 1987)- Actress
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Diana Vickers was born on 30 July 1991 in Lancashire, England, UK. She is an actress and writer, known for The Inbetweeners (2011), Awaiting (2015) and Give Out Girls (2013)."Hero" (with The X Factor finalists) "Once" (2010)