Hear’Say member Noel Sullivan has continued to perform on stage and act on-screen since the band disbanded more than 20 years ago, and still looks exactly as we remember him
Noel Sullivan, who shot to fame as part of the pop group Hear’Say, looks exactly the same more than two decades since finding fame. He’s remained in the spotlight and is happily married to a well-known choreographer.
The band Hear’Say, comprising Noel, Myleene Klass, Suzanne Shaw, Kym Marsh, and Danny Foster, was formed on the ITV show Popstars in 2001. Their debut single, Pure and Simple, topped the UK Singles Chart upon its release that year, and their subsequent debut album, Popstars, enjoyed similar chart success.
After splitting up the following year, the band members have each carved out individual careers. Noel, now 45, has continued to perform, making a name for himself in musical theatre, including roles in West End productions of Grease and School of Rock.
READ MORE: A Place In The Sun’s Jasmine Harman shares family heartbreak after ‘such a painful time’READ MORE: Lorraine Kelly reaches out to Davina McCall after campaign helped find cancer
He’s also been part of touring productions of shows like We Will Rock You and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. His most recent appearance in theatre was in a production of But I’m a Cheerleader: The Musical.
While Noel has performed in theatre productions all over the world, including shows in Jersey and Las Vegas, he also returned to music. In 2014, he released his debut album, Here I Go Again, which features covers of songs like Queen’s I Want to Break Free.
In addition, Noel has also dabbled in acting work on the small screen. He landed a supporting part in Ordinary Lies’ second series and even made a cameo appearance in the beloved comedy Gavin and Stacey.
More recently, he featured in the drama miniseries Years and Years in 2019, and was a guest on Heston’s Marvellous Menu: Back to the Noughties that same year. He’s also had a stint on Call the Midwife and portrayed a nurse in the daytime favourite Doctors.
This year, he starred as Prince Charles in the musical The Diana Mixtape. Away from fame, Noel kept his romantic relationships under wraps. It wasn’t until 2017 that he publicly came out as gay when he announced his marriage on Instagram to his “beautiful husband” and choreographer James Bennett.
Happily married to James, Noel regularly gives followers a glimpse into their life together through touching social media updates. One recent post saw the couple enjoying a sun-soaked getaway on an island in Southeast Asia called Borneo.
In a previous birthday tribute on social media, the singer revealed he battled “depression” during the period when he couldn’t be open about his identity. He wrote: “As a 19 year old, I was told to shut up about my sexuality. If I wanted a career, I had to be something else. Silent. It ruined me.
“No one was held accountable for the years of depression and self abuse that followed. It got to the point where I felt like I couldn’t speak out anymore because my time in the spotlight had passed and I assumed no one would care. It was a turbulent time but I took solace in my family and in theatre. Without the crazy, beautiful, supportive and talented people I worked with, lived with and performed for, I could never have found myself.
“After years of self doubt I finally feel free to say what I need to. Free to let go of the past, free to love myself. But most importantly, free to love. Thank you.”
Noel and James previously renovated a 16th-century property in France, which they purchased in 2020. Away from the renovation work, James operates as a choreographer and creative director.
James has lent his talents to popular shows, including Strictly Come Dancing and Britain’s Got Talent, throughout his career. He’s also collaborated with former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse on numerous projects, including her I Am Here tour, alongside routines for Dancing on Ice and The Greatest Dancer.
The duo mentored contestant Jowita Przystał, who’s now a professional dancer on Strictly, as she triumphed alongside Michael Danilczuk. But Noel and his husband aren’t just rubbing shoulders with professional dancers.
The singer himself has several famous mates, including a former Strictly finalist, Steps member Faye Tozer, and her spouse, Michael Smith. A few years ago, Faye and Michael visited the pair in France to check out their renovation project.
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply