Simon Webbe

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Simon Webbe
at MTV Asia Awards 2006, Bangkok, Thailand
Background information
Birth name	Simon Solomon Webbe
Born	30 March 1978 (1978-03-30) (age 31)
Origin	Moss Side, Manchester, England
Genres	Pop, R&B, soul
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, actor
Years active	2001–present (group) 2005–present (solo) 2005–present (acting)
Labels	Innocent Records
Associated acts	Blue, Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan
Website	SimonWebbe.net

Simon Webbe (born Simon Solomon Webbe, 30 March 1978, Moss Side, Manchester, England^[1]) is a singer-songwriter and manager. He is perhaps best known as a member of the British boyband Blue. It was announced on 27 April 2009 that Webbe has become a patron of Anxiety UK.

Early life

As a teenager, Webbe was signed to Burslem based Port Vale. However, at the age of seventeen a torn ligament prevented a career in the sport.

Music career

Sanctuary

Webbe launched his post-Blue career on 22 August 2005 with his first solo single "Lay Your Hands" which peaked at #4 on the UK Singles Chart. His follow up single "No Worries" reached #4 in the UK, making him the only Blue member to have multiple Top 10 singles.

After the release of two singles, Webbe released his debut solo album Sanctuary which debuted at #28 on the UK Album Chart. Despite its relatively low debut it eventually reached #7 on the chart and has now gone double platinum. The third single from Sanctuary, "After All This Time" was released in February 2006 but it failed to do as well as his previous releases and peaked at #16.

Grace

On 30 October, 2006, came the first single from Webbe's new album "Coming Around Again". When released it reached #12 in the UK Singles Chart. His second album Grace was released on 13 November 2006, and peaked at number 11 in the UK Albums Chart. The second single "My Soul Pleads for You" was released on 19 February 2007, and reached 45 on the singles chart. On 21 May, 2007, Webbe launched his first tour to support his second album Grace. The tour consisted of 18 dates through May and June, starting in Cambridge and culminating in London.

In early June, it was announced that Webbe would be releasing the title track from his second studio album with the theme song from the upcoming film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. The single was a double A-side release of "Grace"/"Ride the Storm". It reached #36 in the UK. In Europe, "Seventeen" was released instead of "Grace".

Run

During his 2007 UK tour Webbe previewed some songs from his third studio album including "Run", which he said had already been penciled in as the first single, and that it will possibly be used as the album title. It was thought that the album would be released in 2009 but due to Blue's reunion, the album is likely to be put on hold.

Film career

In 2004 he co-starred in the romantic-comedy The Truth About Love, directed by John Hay. The film also featured Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Dougray Scott and Jimi Mistry. His second acting project was a 2006 British gangster movie, Rollin' With The Nines. The film co-starred Vas Blackwood, Billy Murray, Robbie Gee and was directed by Julian Gilbey.

Other media projects / Blue reunion

Since entering the music industry Webbe has extended his range of business ventures. His two most notable companies are Love 4 Music and Love 4 PR, both of which he co-runs with Jade Reuben.

He managed the mixed gender group, VS (Jaime Summaz, Marvin Humes, Ryan Taylor, Chinyere McKenzie and Blimi) who supported Blue on their tour. They were also signed to Blue's Innocent Records, and released three singles, "Love You Like Mad" (#7), "Call U Sexy" (#11) and "Make It Hot" (#29), plus an album, All Kinds of Trouble. Currently, all members of the band are working on different solo projects.

He also managed American/British girlband, L.A.D.E. whose video for their unreleased single "Shake It Off" featured Webbe and Blue bandmate Duncan James. In return the girls appeared in Blue's single "Bubblin'". Their current professional music status is unknown.

Also in 2004, he was voted Company magazine's 62nd Sexiest Man Alive and appeared as a striker on Sky One's, The Match.

In 2007 he released a series of educational DVDs for children entitled Simon's Web. The six volumes endeavoured to teach children about the internet, its history and uses.

In 2008, he starred in British reality television show, I'm a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here!.

On 28 April 2009, Blue announced that they have reformed and will soon return to the stage this summer with a new album coming soon.

Personal life

Webbe's parents were born on the Caribbean island of Nevis. He has a daughter, Alanah, born in 1997, with ex-girlfriend Nicola Jones. She is the inspiration for his 2007 single "Grace". He is reportedly a cousin of the former Sugababes singer, Keisha Buchanan.^[2] His brother Quinton graduated from Sheffield University.

He dated Iranian former X-Factor contestant, Layla Manouchehri from 2007 to 2009.^{[citation needed]} The two split after Manouchehri demanded Simon to convert to Islam after Webbe proposed to her.^[3]

Discography

Albums

Singles

References

External links

• Official website
• USWFC the popular Simon Fanclub site, for all latest news,and pictures
• International Blue LADS Forum
• 4everblue.ch (French)
• *Gallery: Simon Webbe plays UEA, Norwich - May '07
• Interview about childhood in Moss Side, Manchester