Preston (singer)

Preston
Background information
Birth name Samuel Dylan Murray Preston
Also known as Preston
Born (1982-01-16) 16 January 1982
Worthing, West Sussex, England
Genres Pop, Britpop, indie rock, Punk, ska, dance-rock
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments Vocals, guitar, banjo, keyboard
Years active 2002–present
Labels B-Unique Records
Associated acts The Ordinary Boys

Samuel Dylan Murray Preston (born 16 January 1982) more commonly known as Preston, is an English singer, who is the lead singer of The Ordinary Boys. He also appeared in the reality television show Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, in which he finished fourth. After The Ordinary Boys split in 2008, he embarked on a songwriting career. In 2013 he officially reunited The Ordinary Boys and in 2015 they released their self-titled comeback album.

Early life

Samuel Preston was born in Worthing, West Sussex. He was educated at Sompting Abbotts public School and Bishop Luffa School. He is son to Anthony and Miranda Preston (born in Philadelphia), and brother to Alex and Lucy Preston. His grandfather is the Princeton University English professor Samuel Hynes.[1] His brother, Alex Preston, is a novelist.[2] In his teenage years Preston lived in Philadelphia with his Mother's side of the family.

Music career

Preston became the lead singer of Worthing-based pop group, The Ordinary Boys. They had a string of top-ten hits in the UK Singles Chart. Their most famous song, "Boys Will Be Boys", featured in the 2007 film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

After The Ordinary Boys split, Preston started working on material for a solo album, and released the song "Dressed to Kill", on 5 July 2009 as part of T4. The song samples the introduction from the song "Happy House" by Siouxsie and the Banshees.[3] The single was released on 7 September 2009 but failed to chart after Preston had to delay the launch and pull out of promotional performances after breaking both arms in a bicycle accident.[4] He is now a songwriter.[5] In 2011, Preston co-wrote the number one Olly Murs song "Heart Skips a Beat". Preston announced the reforming of the Ordinary Boys in 2011, and a new 12-date tour.[6] Preston also co wrote the song and duet "Beautiful" by Enrique Iglesias and Kylie Minogue for their respective albums, and his track "Dressed to Kill" was re-recorded by American singer Cher for her album Closer to the Truth.

TV appearances

In January 2006, Preston appeared on Channel 4's fourth series of Celebrity Big Brother. He became close to later winner Chantelle Houghton, despite being in a relationship, and later married her. Preston was evicted during the final episode on 27 January 2006, finishing in fourth place. On 24 August 2010 he returned to the show for Ultimate Big Brother along with ex-wife Chantelle; he finished sixth.

In 2007, Preston filmed a documentary on voodoo for Channel 4.[7] He has also presented Top of the Pops and CD:UK.

In January 2007, Preston appeared as a guest panellist on comedy gameshow Never Mind the Buzzcocks. He walked out of the studio during the programme's recording, offended by jokes made at Houghton's expense by the show's host Simon Amstell.

Personal life

A week after the end of Celebrity Big Brother, Preston became engaged to his longtime French girlfriend, Camille Aznar. He kept in contact with Houghton, and broke up with Aznar a month later to allow Houghton to move into his Brighton flat. He and Houghton got engaged on 11 April 2006,[8] and in an exclusive £300,000 deal each with OK! magazine,[9] they were married on 25 August 2006 at Dartmouth House in Mayfair, London.

After their honeymoon, the couple moved to Preston's flat in Brighton, East Sussex.

On 27 June 2007, Preston and Houghton announced their separation,[10] and received the decree nisi for their divorce on 21 November 2007.[11]

In 2008 Preston moved to Philadelphia where he lived for 3 years. He has an American citizenship from his Mother's side of the family.

Discography

Albums

Year Title Chart Position
2009 Whatever Forever
  • Released: (Album Shelved)
  • Label: B-Unique
 N/A

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
UK
2009 "Dressed to Kill" N/A Whatever Forever

Songwriting Discography

References

  1. ↑ "Alex Preston Q & A". Faber & Faber. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  2. ↑ Spanier, Gideon (5 January 2010). "Who to watch in 2010". London Evening Standard.
  3. ↑ "Cher covers Preston from The Ordinary Boys' solo single on new album". NME. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  4. ↑ Corner, Lewis (14 October 2013). "Cher: 'Closer to the Truth' – Album review". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  5. ↑ Preston, Samuel (5 August 2010). "Life Waited". Preston. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  6. ↑ Preston, Samuel. "Preston". Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "The Beginner's Guide to Voodoo". Channel 4. 18 October 2007.
  8. ↑ "Chantelle and Preston get engaged". BBC News. 12 April 2006.
  9. ↑ "Chantelle Houghton: The Dark Side of Fame with Piers Morgan: Season 1, Episode 8". 27 October 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  10. ↑ "Big Brother couple end marriage". BBC. 27 June 2007.
  11. ↑ "Big Brother pair granted divorce". BBC. 22 November 2007.

External links

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