Former Hear'Say singer Noel Sullivan has astonished fans by appearing not to have aged a day since his pop fame began on the ITV show Popstars twenty-four years ago.
From Pop Stardom to Stage Success
Noel, now 45, was part of the five-piece band Hear'Say, which was formed on the reality TV show Popstars in 2001. The group, which also included Myleene Klass, Suzanne Shaw, Kym Marsh, and Danny Foster, shot to immediate success. Their debut single, Pure and Simple, shot straight to number one on the UK Singles Chart, and their first album, Popstars, mirrored that chart-topping achievement.
After the band disbanded just a year later in 2002, Sullivan carved out an impressive career in musical theatre. He has graced the West End stage in major productions like Grease and School of Rock. His theatrical journey also includes touring in celebrated shows such as We Will Rock You and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. His most recent stage credit was in But I'm a Cheerleader: The Musical.
A Thriving Career On Screen and In Music
Beyond the stage, Noel has also built a respectable acting portfolio on television. He secured a role in the second series of Ordinary Lies and made a memorable cameo in the hit comedy Gavin and Stacey. More recent screen appearances include the 2019 drama Years and Years, along with guest spots on Call the Midwife and the daytime show Doctors.
His passion for music never faded. In 2014, he returned to his roots by releasing his debut solo album, Here I Go Again, which featured his own renditions of classic tracks, including Queen's I Want to Break Free.
Personal Happiness and Inspiring Openness
Away from the spotlight, Noel has found profound personal happiness. In 2017, he publicly came out as gay and announced his marriage to renowned choreographer James Bennett on Instagram, calling him his beautiful husband.
He has since spoken candidly about the personal struggles he faced earlier in his career. In a heartfelt social media post, Noel revealed that being told to conceal his sexuality at age 19 led to a period of depression and self-abuse. He credited his family and his work in theatre with helping him find himself, stating, After years of self-doubt I finally feel free to say what I need to.
The couple are regularly seen enjoying their life together on social media, from sun-drenched holidays in destinations like Borneo to renovating a 16th-century property in France, which they purchased in 2020.
Noel maintains strong friendships within the entertainment industry, including with his former bandmate Suzanne Shaw and Steps star Faye Tozer, who has visited the couple in France. James Bennett, a successful choreographer in his own right, has worked on shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Britain's Got Talent.
