AFTER bursting onto the scene with his hugely successful pop band Years & Years, Olly Alexander has become a force to be reckoned with.
As well as being an accomplished actor, the talented star is hoping for Eurovision glory representing the UK in 2024.
Born on July 15, 1990, Olly Alexander is a singer and actor who hails from Harrogate in North Yorkshire,
He studied at the Hereford College of Arts after completing his GCSEs, but later dropped out to pursue an acting career.
Olly got his first break when he starred in 2008’s Sumerhill.
After this he made appearances in 2009’s Tormented. and 2014’s The Riot Club.
In 2017, he presented a BBC documentary called Growing Up Gay.
The powerful film explored the mental health issues that members of the LGBT+ community can face.
Olly is also known for appearing on Celebrity Gogglebox alongside singer-songwriter MNEK
As well his acting and TV work, Olly has enjoyed a lucrative music career.
He formed Years & Years in 2010 with Mikey Goldsmith and Emre Turkmen.
It was announced the pair had quit the band in January 2021, leaving Olly to continue as a soloist.
A statement on Years & Years’ social media said: “This upcoming new album has been an Olly endeavour and we’ve decided that Years & Years will continue as an Olly solo project.
“The three of us are still good friends. Mikey will be part of the Y&Y family and play with us live and Emre will focus on being a writer/producer.
“These past 12 months have been crazy for us all and we want to thank you for the love and support you’ve given us over the years (& years). New Y&Y music will be coming this spring.”
The band’s split had been on the cards for a really long time, in many ways, because we had changed so much as a band
Olly Alexander
Olly has since opened up about the split, and said it came after the group began to disagree creatively “more and more”.
Speaking to PA News he said: “It had been on the cards for a really long time, in many ways, because we had changed so much as a band.
“We all still get on and we loved going on tour and playing songs and everything – but when it came to it creatively, we disagreed more and more.
“It became obvious that we all wanted to do different things.”
As of 2024, Olly is understood to be a single man.
His last big known relationship was in 2015 with Clean Bandit musician Neil Milan Amin-Smith.
However, the pair split up due to scheduling conflicts with their respective music careers.
Speaking at the time to Attitude about the breakdown of the relationship, he said: “We’ve had less and less time to spend together and the time we did have together were such short periods it put so much pressure on our relationship.”
Olly added that they “both decided it wasn’t working”.
In 2021, Olly had huge success when he played Ritchie Tozer in It’s a Sin.
The series, named after the hit single by The Pet Shop Boys, follows the lives of three young men during the horror of the Aids epidemic of the 1980s.
Olly plays Richie, an 18-year-old from the Isle of Wight who has not come out to his parents.
Once he reaches London, he finds freedom and pursues his dreams of being an actor.
I really can’t believe I’m going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible, it shall be an honour!
Olly talking Eurovision
It has become Channel 4‘s most-binged series of all time since its release.
It’s A Sin included a star cast which saw Olly act alongside How I Met Your Mother actor and Broadway star Neil Patrick Harris.
Olly will perform his song Dizzy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.
Speaking about his involvement in the competition, which is watched by 160million people annually, he said: “I’ve loved watching Eurovision ever since I was a little kid and I’m beyond excited to be taking part next year.
“As a young boy I always looked forward to this incredible event of unbridled joy, the wonderfully chaotic mix of musical styles, theatrical performances, heartfelt emotion and humour.
“I really can’t believe I’m going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible, it shall be an honour!”
Olly will appear alongside the other 26 hopefuls in the Eurovision final on May 11, 2024.
In 1999, a rule change allowed the United Kingdom, along with France, Germany and Spain, to automatically qualify for the final.
This means he doesn’t have to compete for a place, he is guaranteed a spot.
Years & Years have had five top 10 hits in the UK charts.
Their debut single I Wish I Knew was released in July 2012, but it was 2015’s King that propelled the band to stardom, reaching Number One in the charts.
Debut album Communion also reached the top spot on the UK Albums charts, while their second LP Palo Santo was released to critical acclaim in 2018.
Other big hits include If You’re Over Me, Desire and Shine – all of which have made a big splash on the UK singles charts.
