Charles Richard Wilson(born 17 January 1978) is an English musician and the frontman of five-piece rock bandKaiser Chiefs.Before the formation of the band, in 2003, Wilson was a member of the band Runston Parva (later known as Parva), which consisted of members of Kaiser Chiefs. In September 2013, Wilson was confirmed as a coach onThe Voice UK.[1]He was the winning coach for both the fourth[2]and fifth series of the show,[3]being the first coach to win two years consecutively. Wilson left the show after three series,[4][5]following the show's move toITV.[6][7]
Ricky Wilson | |
|---|---|
 Wilson performing withKaiser Chiefsin 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Charles Richard Wilson |
| Born | 17 January 1978 Keighley,West Yorkshire,England |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Member of | Kaiser Chiefs |
| Formerly of | Runston Parva, Parva |
| Spouse |
Grace Zito (m.2021) |
Early life
editWilson was born inKeighley,West Yorkshire to Glynne and TV producer, Geoff Wilson.[8]He has one brother, James.
He attendedLeeds Grammar Schoolafter Ghyll Royd primary school, and later attendedLeeds Metropolitan Universityand completed his BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Arts and Design in 2000 before undertaking his master's degree in Art and Design.[9][10]He then taught atLeeds College of Art and Designfor a year before the band's big break.[11]
Career
editWilson, withNick HodgsonandAndrew White,formed the band Runston Parva. After the group failed to land a record deal, the band re-formed as Parva, with their old friends,Simon RixandNick Baines,joining the group, following their return from university. The band landed a record deal; they were later dropped following the closure ofMantra Recordings.They had just recently released their debut album22and their first three singles.
Following this, the group decided to reform for the third time, with intentions to sign a new long-term record label and release new musical material, now namedKaiser Chiefs.Their name was adapted from theSouth Africanfootball teamKaizer Chiefs.James Sandom became their new manager and they soon signed a recording contract withB-Unique Records.
Outside music
editThe Voice UK
editOn 19 September 2013, Wilson confirmed he would replaceDanny O'Donoghueas a coach on thethird seriesofThe Voice UKalongsidewill.i.am,Tom Jones,and fellow new coachKylie Minogue,who replacedJessie J.[12][13]During the series,Katy Bappeared as Wilson's team mentor.[14]For thefourth series,Wilson appeared alongside Tom Jones, will.i.am andRita Ora.He was named the winning coach during the 4 April 2015 live final whenStevie McCroriewon the public vote. The following year, he again appeared alongside will.i.am with new coaches,Boy GeorgeandPaloma Faith.[15]On 9 April 2016, he became winning coach for the second time whenKevin Simmwon thefifth series.[16]The final pitted Team Ricky against Team Ricky with both of Wilson's acts knocking the other coaches out of the live final.[17]The win made him the Voice UK coach with the most wins. He left the show prior to its move to ITV.[18]
Media work
edit
Wilson has twice been a guest on theBBC Twotelevision show,Never Mind the Buzzcocks,firstly in 2005 as a panellist and then as a guest host in 2006. He also featured on the panel of theBBC Televisioncomedy series,Shooting Stars,in 2009. In 2008, he appeared inPeter Kay's talent show parody,Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice,in a duet with the show's protagonist, Geraldine McQueen.[19]Wilson had a minor role inSt Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold,as the rock star boyfriend ofSarah Harding's character, Roxy. Wilson stated on his Radio X show that he was cast to appear inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1fronting a wizard band made up of actual musicians. When the band was replaced with CGI instruments, he was invited instead to appear in a background role. It is popularly believed that he had a cameo as Dirk Cresswell, but Wilson himself has denied this, saying the character identified as Dirk is in fact played by an unnamed actor.[20]Between November 2012 and January 2013, Wilson took on the role of the Artilleryman in the staged musical,Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds – The New Generation.Wilson and Kaiser Chiefs bassistSimon Rixwrote and performed the theme tune forZig and Zag.[21]Wilson joined new radio stationRadio Xin September 2015 where he presented the Sunday morning show from 11am to 2pm. He left in 2017 due to other commitments[22]
In October 2015, Wilson became the host ofSky 1's music and comedy panel showBring the Noise.[23]He appeared on the show opposite formerThe X Factorjudge and thePussy Cat DollssingerNicole Scherzinger,stand-up comedianJoel Dommett,rapperTinie Tempahand comedianKatherine Ryan.[24]However, in April 2016, it was announced that the show had been cancelled after just one series due to declining ratings.[25]
In 2017, he appeared as a guest onThe Grand Tour,a motoring programme presented byJeremy Clarkson,Richard HammondandJames May.
In 2018, Ricky became patron ofMAS Records,part ofKidderminster College,alongside Robert Plant.
In 2020, Wilson launched a new series of podcasts with veteran English DJTony BlackburnentitledRicky and Tony's Pop Detectives.In the series Wilson and Blackburn try to ascertain whether or not long rumoured myths and claims surrounding pop stars lives and their music are true. The series launched to positive reviews and a second series was released later in the year.
In 2020, Wilson used his art skills to present an art episode ofCBBCseriesCelebrity Supply Teacher.
In 2021, he went on to host his own series onCBBC,Ricky Wilson’s Art Jam.The same year Wilson was also cast as the narrator in the UK animated showDodo.[26][27][28]Also in this year,BBC Radio 2gave him his own series calledRicky Wilson's Rock And Roll Classics,which ran for two series in 2021 and 2022, and which featured Wilson playing his favourite songs from the 1950s and early 60s.[29][30]
In 2022, making use of his art background further he co-presentedCBBCseriesBritain’s Best Young ArtistalongsideVick Hope.
He became the host of theVirgin Radio UKDrivetimeshow on 9 January 2023.[31]
In 2023, Wilson took part inseries 4ofThe Masked Singeras "Phoenix", where he finished in second place, behindBustedsingerCharlie Simpson.[citation needed]
Personal life
editDuring the early days of Kaiser Chiefs, Wilson was well known for wearing stripyblazers,waistcoats, turn-up jeans, andwinkle pickershoes, a style that won him the ShockwavesNMEAward For Best Dressed Person in 2006.[32]Lately, he has adopted a more casual dress code. Wilson is well known for his energetic stage presence, climbing scaffolding, standing on the safety barrier, and at timescrowd surfing.Of crowd surfing, Wilson says he likes to "get out and see the crowd, see what they smell like".[33]Such exploits have occasionally resulted in injury, such as tornankle ligamentsafter jumping off stage during a concert in Portugal.[34]
In May 2006, Wilson was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Leeds. He was hit by a car while attempting to walk on a pedestrian crossing, suffering bruising and a broken toe owing to a 'Ricky trademark jump' which resulted in him hitting the windscreen and being flipped over the top of the vehicle rather than trapped underneath.[35]
Wilson began a relationship with celebrity stylist Grace Zito in early 2015. They became engaged in April 2018 and married in June 2021.[36]In April 2022, they had twins.[37]
Wilson and the band are supporters ofAmnesty International[38]andNordoff-Robbins music therapy.[39]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Friday Night Project | Himself | Guest appearance – withKaiser Chiefs |
| 2005, 2017, 2021, 2024 | Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway | Himself | Guest appearance – withKaiser Chiefs |
| 2005 | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | Himself | Musical guest appearance – withKaiser Chiefs |
| 2005 | Popworld | Himself | Guest appearance – withKaiser Chiefs |
| 2005 | Kaiser Chiefs: Enjoyment | Himself | Short video |
| 2005 | Never Mind the Buzzcocks | Himself | Guest presenter |
| 2006 | |||
| 2006 | Top of the Pops | Himself | Guest appearance |
| 2006 | Later...with Jools Holland | Himself | Interview appearance (solo) |
| 2007 | |||
| 2007 | Brit Awards | Himself | Guest appearance – with Kaiser Chiefs |
| 2007 | Friday Night with Jonathan Ross | Himself | 2 guest appearances
|
| 2009 | Shooting Stars | Himself | Guest appearance (solo) |
| 2009 | St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold | Rockstar | Actor |
| 2011 | Breakfast | Himself | TV interview; later musical performance – with Kaiser Chiefs |
| 2012 | Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds – The New Generation | The Artilleryman | Actor |
| 2014–16 | The Voice UK | Himself | Main cast; coach/judge; 45 episodes (solo) |
| 2014 | The Voice: Louder on Two | Himself | 5 episodes; guest appearances |
| 2014–18 | Celebrity Juice | Himself | 6 episodes; guest appearances |
| 2015 | Bring the Noise | Himself | Main presenter (solo) |
| 2015— | The One Show | Himself | Guest presenter (4 episodes) |
| 2017 | The Grand Tour | Himself, guest[40] | Celebrity Face Off, Series 2 Episode 1 |
| 2018 | The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bakeoff | Himself[41] | Contestant, Episode 2 |
| 2024 | Michael McIntyre's Big Show | Himself | Unexpected Star of the Show |
References
edit- ^"The Voice: Ricky Wilson confirms he will be replacing Danny O'Donoghue as new judge on BBC One's talent show - Mirror Online".mirror.19 September 2013.Retrieved23 September2014.
- ^The Voice UK: Steve McCrorie crowned winner -BBC News.bbc.co.uk/
- ^Copson, Josie (10 April 2016)."Liberty X's Kevin Simm has only gone and won The Voice".Cosmopolitan.Retrieved13 April2016.
- ^"'The Voice' UK: Ricky Wilson Confirms He's Quitting Judging Panel After Series 5, When BBC Show Moves To ITV ".HuffPost.13 November 2015.
- ^"Ricky Wilson WILL be on The Voice UK on ITV... on one condition | The Voice UK 2017".TellyMix. 24 March 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 13 July 2018.Retrieved5 September2016.
- ^Darvill, Josh (9 July 2016)."Ricky Wilson will NOT be on The Voice UK on ITV (at least for now!)".TellyMix. Archived fromthe originalon 26 August 2018.Retrieved21 July2016.
- ^"Sir Tom Jones, Jennifer Hudson and Gavin Rossdale to join will.i.am as our new Voice UK superstar coaches!".The Voice UK.itv.com.28 September 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 1 October 2016.Retrieved28 September2016.
- ^"Do you want to wake up in rock star's bedroom?".Yorkshire Post.Retrieved8 November2016.
- ^"Former Leeds Met student and Kaiser Chiefs frontman, Ricky Wilson, to be coach on BBC1's The Voice".Leedsmet.ac.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 9 September 2014.Retrieved29 September2014.
- ^"Ricky Wilson – BA (Hons) Graphics & Art Design and MA Graphics and Art Design".www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 11 September 2017.Retrieved10 September2017.
- ^"Q&A".theguardian.com.21 August 2005.Retrieved21 August2005.
- ^"'The Voice' UK: Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson confirmed as fourth coach ".Digital Spy.19 September 2013.Retrieved19 September2013.
- ^"Kaiser Chiefs star Ricky Wilson joins The Voice".BBC News Online.Retrieved19 September2013.
- ^Wightman, Catriona (25 February 2014)."The Voice: Katy B, Tinie Tempah, more join as mentors – pictures".Digital Spy.Retrieved8 March2014.
- ^"Paloma Faith and Boy George join The Voice, Sir Tom leaves".BBC News.14 August 2015.Retrieved8 November2016.
- ^Mohan, Isabel (11 April 2016)."The Voice: why Kevin Simm deserved to win, plus 7 things we learned from the final".The Telegraph.Retrieved8 November2016.
- ^Travis, Ben (9 April 2016)."The Voice UK 2016: Former Liberty X star Kevin Simm beats Jolan, Lydia Lucy, and Cody Frost in the final".Retrieved8 November2016.
- ^Daly, Emma (21 January 2016)."Ricky Wilson doesn't regret decision to leave The Voice:" It's only telly "".Retrieved8 November2016.
- ^Ricky Wilson on Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor.YouTube.12 October 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2021.
- ^"Harry Potter: Kaiser Chiefs star breaks silence on movie cameo".18 February 2021.
- ^Zig and Zag theme by Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson and Simon Rix on CBBC.YouTube.16 August 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2021.
- ^"Vernon Kay to leave Radio X after 18 months".15 March 2017.Retrieved29 December2020.
- ^"Bring The Noise".Sky One.Sky UK.Retrieved7 December2015.
- ^"Bring The Noise Coming soon Bring It On!".Sky UK.2015.Retrieved18 November2015.
- ^Lee, Ben (7 April 2016)."Bring the Noise: Ricky Wilson and Nicole Scherzinger's panel show won't be back".Digital Spy.Hearst Magazines UK.Retrieved10 April2016.
- ^"Ricky Wilson narrates new original comedy series DODO, on Sky Kids this June".www.skygroup.sky.
- ^"Watch @Rickontour of #KaiserChiefs #VoiceUK and of course #Dodo fame on @GMB tomorrow 0845am re voicing our brand new comedy animation series Dodo 😀…expect secondary school secrets, spoilers and more @jackbennettfilm @SkyKidsOfficial @skytv @CAKE_Ent".twitter.com.
- ^"Ricky Wilson on narrating new animated comedy show, Dodo".virginradio.co.uk.8 June 2021.
- ^"Ricky Wilson's Rock and Roll Classics".
- ^"Ricky Wilson returns to BBC Radio 2 for second series on classic rock and roll".6 April 2022.
- ^"Virgin Radio UK welcomes Ricky Wilson as new drivetime presenter | Virgin Radio UK".virginradio.co.uk.25 November 2022.Retrieved18 January2023.
- ^"ShockWaves NME Awards 2006".NME.Archived fromthe originalon 12 January 2012.Retrieved23 January2012.
- ^Interview with Ricky Wilson, Kaiser Chiefs – Enjoyment (Universal Island, DVD Video, 2005)
- ^"Kaiser Chiefs singer injures leg during gig".RTÉ.ie.Archived fromthe originalon 1 February 2014.Retrieved23 January2012.
- ^"Kaiser Chiefs singer hit by car".Retrieved23 May2006.
- ^"The Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson Met His Wife On Set".Bustle.14 June 2021.Retrieved17 October2021.
- ^Borsay, Kait(27 June 2023)."The Evening Edition with Kait Borsay".Times Radio(Interview). London, England.
- ^"Kaiser Chiefs unveil new human rights film during UK tour".Retrieved15 April2018.
- ^"Kaiser Chiefs break ground at Newcastle centre".2 November 2017.Retrieved15 April2018.
- ^"The Grand Tour season 2 confirms celebrity guests".Digital Spy.27 November 2017.
- ^"Meet the contestants taking part in The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer".Radio Times.Retrieved15 March2018.
External links
edit
- Ricky WilsonatIMDb
- KaiserChiefs.com
- Gigshot.co.uk – Kaiser Chiefs at Paradiso Amsterdam, 29 May 2007
- NME.com – ShockWaves NME Awards 2006: Full list of winners
- NME.com – Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson: 'I turned down the chance to be a judge on "The Voice" '
- NME.com – Kaiser Chief's Ricky Wilson opens up about his role in 'The War Of The Worlds'