Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson has revealed he is moving to Majorca with his family, as he opens up about his sobriety and the anxiety that once plagued him. The 48-year-old singer, who has four-year-old twins with wife Grace Zito, shared the news in an exclusive interview.
Two decades of music
It's been over 20 years since Kaiser Chiefs burst onto the music scene with hits like 'I Predict A Riot' and 'Oh My God'. Wilson says it doesn't feel that long, describing the time as 'collapsed in on itself'. He reflects on the overnight fame that came with the band's success, admitting it was 'quite stressful' and that he withdrew into himself, finding it 'all quite scary'.
Despite the challenges, Wilson remains the 'same guy' he was when the band started out, which he credits for their longevity. He recalls 'astonishing things' like playing Glastonbury and seeing their song titles become headlines, feeling they had 'entered British consciousness'.
Sobriety and anxiety
Wilson has been open about his past issues with alcohol and anxiety. He says being sober has helped, though anxiety is still present. 'Alcohol just makes everything worse, really. I'm sober now. The anxiety is still there, but it's OK.'
He also reflects on the band's struggles, noting they remember the 'sh***y hotel rooms, not the luxury ones' as the happiest times.
Career and future plans
Looking back on his time as a coach on The Voice UK, Wilson says he loved it, though his wife Grace disagrees, saying he hated it. He admits he took it too seriously and was 'hard to live with' during that period. He's delighted for his former colleague Emma Willis on her new Strictly Come Dancing role.
Wilson is backing a campaign with Tempcover, promoting scenic routes over motorways. He's excited about the family's move to Majorca, saying, 'We're going to try it, see how we go.' He also jokes about his love for lighthouses, saying he'll 'end up living in one'.
