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Jonathan Wilkes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1978-08-01)1 August 1978 (age 47) |
| Occupations | Entertainer, singer, presenter |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Jonathan Wilkes (born 1 August 1978)[1] is an English television presenter and singer.
Jonathan Wilkes was born inBaddeley Green, Stoke-on-Trent, to Eileen Wilkes and Graham Wilkes, and spent most of his childhood in Packmoor, an outlying village ofChell. He resided near the home ofRobbie Williams, with whom he is best friends.[2] He has one older sister called Kay. He signed forPort Vale FC, aged seven, and played forEverton FC as a teenager. He said that he was dropped from the team due to his "unwillingness to eat, sleep and breathe football".[3]
His first stage role was in a Stoke Amateur Operatic Society production of Hans Christian Andersen.[4]
In 1996, he won theCameron Mackintosh Young Entertainer of the Year Award. From this, he went on to work in Blackpool under the name 'Jonathan and the Space Girls', until being spotted byKevin Bishop of theBBC, who employed him as a presenter for the precursor channel toBBC3.[5] He has since gone on to work in West End Musicals, and has presentedYou've Been Framed!.
After signing a record deal with Virgin, Wilkes had a brief spell as a pop-music singer, his single "Just Another Day" reached No. 24 in theUK Singles Chart.[6] The single hit the Top 5 in 18 countries worldwide.[4] During his brief singing career, he performed with his friend Robbie Williams at theRoyal Albert Hall and sangMe And My Shadow together which received positive reviews. However, Wilkes later opted to stop making music in order to move back into TV and stage work, the latter being his biggest passion, of which he often works with Robbie Williams.[2]
Since 2005 Wilkes has been a regular performer in pantomimes at theRegent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent.[2]
Wilkes participates and assists in the organisation ofSoccer Aid, an event he has been involved in since 2006, in collaboration with co-founder and friend Robbie Williams.
To date, the event has raised over £100 million for Unicef.
Wilkes’ last appearance on the pitch on match day came in 2017 owing to a recurring hamstring injury, but is still heavily involved in the organisation and promotion of the event.[citation needed]
Wilkes attendedCity of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College.[2] He is a boyhood fan ofPort Vale.[7]
While working for theBBC, he lived in London.[2] Also while at the BBC, he met his wife Nikki. The couple live inRoyal Wootton Bassett.[2]
In September 2013, Wilkes opened his own full-time performing arts college called Wilkes Academy.[4] The patrons of the academy includeAnt and Dec, andArlene Phillips.[2] The college is based inSwindon.
| Year | Title | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | |||
| 2001 | "Just Another Day" | 24[8] | |
| Preceded by | Host ofYou've Been Framed! 2003–2004 | Succeeded by |
