DAVID ESSEX

David Essex was born David Albert Cook in Plaistow, Essex on July 23, 1947 and is an English singer, songwriter, and actor.

David Essex started out when he abandoned a promising football career in favour of pop music, releasing his debut song And The Tears Came Tumbling Down in 1966. He starred in the stage musical Godspell in 1971, and made his film debut in 1973’s That’ll Be The Day.

David Essex made his chart debut with the international hit Rock On in 1973, leading to a string of hit songs and two UK Official Singles Chart Number 1s with Gonna Make You A Star in 1974 and Hold Me Close in 1975. He scored 19 UK Top 40 singles and has appeared on stage in Evita, Tommy, War of the Words and Mutiny!. He was cast as Eddie Moon in EastEnders in 2011, appearing for four months. David Essex was awarded an OBE in 1999. Image: Dezo Hoffman/Shutterstock