Adam Rickitt

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Adam Rickitt
Cardiff Mardi Gras 2010 MMB 27 Adam Rickitt.jpg
Rickitt performing in 2010
Born
Adam Peter Rickitt

(1978-05-29) 29 May 1978 (age 43)
Crewe, Cheshire, England
Occupation
  • Actor
  • singer
  • model
Years active1997–present
Television
Spouse(s)
Katy Fawcett
​
(m. 2014)​

Adam Peter Rickitt (born 29 May 1978) is an English actor, singer and model. He portrayed the role Nick Tilsley in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 1997 to 1999, and again from 2002 to 2004. He later joined the pop group 5th Story, set up for The Big Reunion, before joining the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks from 2017 to 2020.

Early life[]

Rickitt was born in Crewe, the youngest of four brothers. His father is co-owner of an estate agency. Rickitt was educated at Sedbergh School, a boarding school in Cumbria.[1]

Rickitt has spoken publicly about suffering from bulimia in his teenage years and about how male sufferers have largely been neglected.[2]

Career[]

Modelling[]

Prior to his acting career, Rickitt was briefly a child model. He subsequently modelled for magazines including Attitude and Cosmopolitan.

Acting[]

Rickitt rose to fame on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, where he took over the role of Nick Tilsley in 1997. The part had been played by Warren Jackson until 1996, when the character moved to Canada.

Rickitt left the series in 1999, returning briefly in 2002 and for a longer spell from 2003 to 2004. His most famous and controversial storyline was in 2003, when his character was involved in the series' first gay kiss with Todd Grimshaw (played by Bruno Langley).

In March 2006, Rickitt took part in the Channel 4 reality series The Games. He took part as a replacement, after the scheduled contestant, Goldie, had to pull out, following an accident. Rickitt himself sustained two black eyes after over-rotating off the diving board.[3] He finished last in the contest.

Rickitt joined the cast of the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street in early 2007, portraying the role of Kieran Mitchell, with his first appearance being shown on 16 March 2007. The character was written out of the series in 2010, with Rickitt's final episode broadcast on 2 August 2010. He had said that he preferred his role on Shortland Street to working on Coronation Street.[4]

Rickitt later returned to the United Kingdom. Where he acted in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, playing regular character Kyle Kelly. He left Hollyoaks in June 2020 when his character took his own life.[5]

Music career[]

Rickitt left Coronation Street in 1999 to start a music career. He signed a six-album deal with Polydor, although he only released one album - Good Times - in 1999. Rickitt's first single, "I Breathe Again", reached number five in the UK and was certified Silver by BPI. The album peaked at number 41 on the UK Albums Chart.[6] Rickitt was then dropped by his record label. In 1999, at a performance at The Prince's Trust Party in the Park, a member of the audience sprayed gas onto the stage when Rickitt was performing. Rickitt fainted after inhaling the substance and was taken to hospital.[7]

In 2010 Rickitt made an appearance at London's G-A-Y club and announced that he was working on a new album. The first single from it, "Tonight", failed to chart and the album wasn't released.

In 2014, he became part of the supergroup 5th Story, who took part in the second series of The Big Reunion along with Kenzie from Blazin' Squad, Dane Bowers from Another Level, Kavana and Gareth Gates.

Stage work[]

Rickitt starred as Mark Cohen in the 2001 UK tour of Rent, before moving to London's West End. He made a return to the London stage to star in Bill Kenwright's production of Office Games, followed by a new play, Final Judgement, and also appeared in Nick Moran's play Telstar on UK tour in 2005. In December 2006, Rickitt appeared in his first pantomime, Cinderella, in the role of Prince Charming at the Norwich Theatre Royal.[8]

Political aspirations[]

In October 2005, Rickitt was approved as a prospective parliamentary candidate for the Conservative Party.[9] In February 2006 he appeared on the political debate show Question Time,[10] as the non-partisan guest.[11] In May 2006, he was one of 100 would-be MPs chosen for the Conservative party A-list.[12] The following month, he appeared on Sunday AM with Andrew Marr.[13] He attended national and local Conservative party functions in the hope of being selected as a candidate.[14] however, a newspaper article alleged</ref>The Observer, 6 August 2006</ref> that he was not a member of the Conservative Party and had only decided to support them because of his dislike of then Prime Minister Tony Blair.[15] Rickitt refuted these claims and confirmed that he was a member,[15] while the newspaper retracted its claims the following week.[16] Along with David Cameron, he also provoked the anger of Sir Nicholas Winterton when it was revealed that Rickitt was being tipped to stand for the safe Conservative seat of Macclesfield, which the outraged Winterton had represented for over thirty years. Winterton responded that he had no intention of standing down from this seat: "I wish Adam luck, but there are no vacancies here."[7][17][18]

Rickitt has been unsuccessful in progressing his political career.[19] According to his website, in July 2007 he decided to continue his acting career in New Zealand, rather than seek selection as a candidate, although politics remains a long-term goal.[20]

He returned to the political scene in October 2010 as a guest reporter for the ITV breakfast television programme Daybreak covering the Conservative Party Conference from Birmingham, and hosted a conference gay party.[21]

Personal life[]

He married Good Morning Britain presenter Katy Fawcett in 2014.[22] In August 2021, Katy joined the team at Calendar - the ITV regional news programme for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Charity work[]

Rickitt works for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as a capital appeals manager.[23]

He left in 2013 to begin working with the cancer charity Help Harry Help Others, and Chief Executive of the mental health foundation, the Caerus Partnership.[24]

Shoplifting incident[]

On 21 September 2007, Rickitt was arrested and charged with shoplifting a block of cheese, a bottle of HP sauce and a jar of coffee beans from an Auckland supermarket. During an interview with Herald on Sunday he claimed that it was an honest mistake[25] though later claimed that he was drunk at the time of the incident.[26]

Filmography[]

Year Title Role Notes
1997–1999, 2002–2004 Coronation Street Nick Tilsley Series regular; 301 episodes
2001 Doctors James Neville Episode: "Sun God"
2005 Judge John Deed Roy Storidge Episode: "Popular Appeal"
2007–2010 Shortland Street Kieran Mitchell Series regular; 400 episodes
2010 Whatever Happened to Pete Blaggit? Clive Film
2014 The Big Reunion Himself
2016 Doctors Logan Flynn Episode: "Dracula's Choice"
2017–2020 Hollyoaks Kyle Kelly Series regular
2020 Hollyoaks Later 2020 special

Discography[]

Albums[]

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[27] 		SCO
[28]
Good Times
  • Debut studio album
  • Released: 18 October 1999
  • Formats: CD, Cassette
 41 68

Singles[]

Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[27] 		IRE
[29] 		SCO
[30]
1999 "I Breathe Again" 5 16 6 Good Times
"Everything My Heart Desires" 15 — 16
2000 "The Best Thing" 25 — 22
2010 "Tonight" — — — N/A
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

References[]

  1. ^ The Independent (Adam Rickitt - True Blue Hunk) Archived 9 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Health | Male eating disorders 'go untreated'". BBC News. 17 August 1999. Archived from the original on 29 December 2006. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  3. ^ Fatter, older, slower ... Melbourne a distant second to Games for a laugh Times Online, 25 March 2006
  4. ^ NZ Herald[dead link]
  5. ^ Hughes, Jonathon (12 June 2020). "Hollyoaks' suicide storyline reminds us how soaps can inspire life-saving conversations". Radio Times. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  6. ^ Roach, Martin. The Virgin Book of British Hit Albums (ISBN 978-0-7535-1700-0) Virgin Books (2009)
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Hoggard, Liz (14 May 2006). "Adam Rickitt: True blue hunk - Profiles - People". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  8. ^ "Norfolk - Entertainment - Interview: Adam Rickitt". BBC. 20 January 2007. Archived from the original on 25 March 2008. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  9. ^ The Scotsman
  10. ^ "Programmes | Question Time | This week's panel". BBC News. 1 February 2006. Archived from the original on 6 February 2006. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  11. ^ "Christine Bleakley's M&M story leaves bad taste with ex-Coronation Street star Adam Rickitt - News, Film & TV". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  12. ^ Tory A-lister urges well-off to avoid burdening NHS Times Online, 21 May 2006
  13. ^ "Programmes | The Andrew Marr Show | Guests on The Andrew Marr Show". BBC News. 4 November 2007. Archived from the original on 15 March 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  14. ^ "Soap star on Tory candidate list". The Guardian. Guardian Media. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "ConservativeHome's Seats & Candidates blog: David Cameron on the A-list". Conservativehome.blogs.com. 6 August 2006. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  16. ^ "For the record | Comment | The Observer". London: Observer.guardian.co.uk. 15 February 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  17. ^ Kite, Melissa (8 October 2006). "Tory grey list thwarts the A-list". London: Telegraph. Archived from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  18. ^ "Oliver Marre: Pendennis". The Observer. London. 12 February 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  19. ^ "Oliver Marre: Pendennis". The Observer. 12 February 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  20. ^ Adam Rickitt Journal July 2007 Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Geen, Jessica (30 September 2010). "Soap star Adam Rickitt to host Conservative gay party". PinkNews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  22. ^ "Adam Rickitt marries Good Morning Britain's Katy Fawcett: 'I am complete'". Hello! Magazine. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  23. ^ "How Adam Rickett Went From Corrie Heart-throb To Animal Helper - UK & World News - News". Mirror.co.uk. 19 June 2011. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  24. ^ Stacey, Alison (19 May 2014). "Former Coronation Street star Adam Rickitt reveals his battles with bulimia". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  25. ^ "Shortland Street star questioned by police over shoplifting - Television - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 23 September 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  26. ^ Botting, Caroline (23 July 2010). "Adam Rickitt's sensational tell-all: my life exposed - New Idea Magazine - Yahoo! New Zealand Lifestyle". Nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b UK chart peaks:
  28. ^ Peak chart positions for featured albums on the Scottish Chart:
  29. ^ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irish Charts. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009.
  30. ^ Peak chart positions for featured singles on the Scottish Chart:
  31. ^ "British single certifications – Adam Rickitt". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 February 2019. Select singles in the Format field. Type Adam Rickitt in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.

External links[]

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