Lemar Obika has opened up about why he is closing the door on reality television, years after first finding fame on the BBC series Fame Academy. The R&B singer shot to prominence on the show in 2002, finishing third behind runner-up Sinead Quinn and winner David Sneddon. While the programme promised a life-changing £1 million record deal, it was short-lived, ending after just two seasons due to low ratings.
No Desire to Revisit Competition Shows
Now, speaking in a new interview with the Daily Mail, Lemar has made it clear he has no desire to revisit the format that launched his career. When asked if he would ever return to reality television, he said: 'Competition show, no. I mean, for me, I always see it as like, do you know what, I'm just gonna try do a new experience.' He added: 'Like the acting, the acting was a new experience. But obviously, to the public, they say, "oh, it's a competition," so I think I've ticked that box nicely.' However, he left the door slightly ajar, stating: 'At the same time, if anything comes up and I feel it's a new experience for me, then I'm always open to having a look or seeing what it's about.'
Although competitive reality TV is off the table, Lemar has still dipped back into it over the years, appearing on Dancing on Ice and The Masked Singer US.
A Lasting Career Since Fame Academy
Now 48, he has built a lasting and successful career since his Fame Academy days, releasing seven albums and carving out a distinct place in British R&B. Among his standout hits are the upbeat anthem '50/50' and the emotional ballad 'If There's Any Justice'. Beyond music, Lemar has picked up multiple BRIT and MOBO awards, performed in London's West End, and explored acting, including a role in the Netflix series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
With such a varied and accomplished career, it is hard to imagine that Fame Academy was once his final shot at success before he considered stepping away from music altogether for a career in computer programming. The singer, who was 24 at the time, had already spent eight years trying to break into the industry before his Fame Academy breakthrough. He even put his pharmacy studies at Cardiff University on hold in the process.
With so much riding on it, the BBC competition became his final shot at success and a chance to 'make my parents proud'. He explained: 'Fame Academy was like the absolute last roll of the dice. I was going back to uni. I think I was gonna do computer programming the second time. I was like, do you know what? Been too long, it's done. I just literally just threw the dice one more, and it worked.'
Health Struggles and New Music
After briefly stepping away from music in 2015, Lemar made a comeback with his latest album, Page In My Heart, released in 2023. However, just a month after its release, he revealed he had developed tinnitus, a condition that causes persistent ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear. While there is currently no universal cure, symptoms can be managed. Speaking candidly about living with it, he said: 'It's not the best, you know, you'd rather it not be there, but if you're not careful, it can come with the job.' He continued: 'I'm just fingers crossed that the clever people out there one day find some kind of cure for it. I mean, luckily what I hear isn't bad, some people hear some really, really horrible stuff, so a little high noise, I can get over it.'
Looking ahead, Lemar hinted that new music could be on the horizon. He said: 'I'm always writing music, so there may be something at the end of the year. But this year it's just live performances.' Next up, he will take to the stage aboard Marella Voyager as part of Marella Cruises' 30th Birthday Onboard Marella Explorer 2 celebrations in May 2026. He will be performing during a seven-night sailing from May 7 to May 14. Speaking about the upcoming gig, he added: 'I haven't done one of their cruises before, so it'll be nice to get on the stage, get a bit of sun, get in with the people, sing a few songs and let's have it. Let's have a good evening.'
