27/07/2026
Happy birthday to David Essex, born on this day in 1947.
Few entertainers have enjoyed a career as varied and enduring as David Essex. As both a chart-topping singer and acclaimed actor, he became one of Britain's biggest stars during the 1970s and has continued to perform, record and tour for more than six decades.
Born David Albert Cook on 23 July 1947 in Plaistow, East London, he originally hoped to become a professional footballer and spent time with West Ham United's youth set-up before his passion for music and acting took him in a different direction.
His breakthrough came in 1973 when he starred as Jim MacLaine in the classic film That'll Be the Day, earning a BAFTA nomination for Most Promising Newcomer. The success of the film, and its sequel Stardust, established him as one of Britain's most exciting young actors. At the same time, he was enjoying huge success as a recording artist with hits including Rock On, Gonna Make You a Star, Hold Me Close, Lamplight, Rolling Stone, Silver Dream Machine and Oh What a Circus, becoming one of the decade's biggest pop stars.
David also built an impressive stage career, appearing in productions such as Godspell, Evita, Boogie Nights and Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds, before introducing himself to a new generation of viewers as Eddie Moon in EastEnders. In 1999, he was awarded an OBE in recognition of both his career and his charitable work.
Away from the spotlight, David has always preferred to keep his private life just that—private. He has been married to actress Susan Hallam-Wright since 2010, and together they have a son. He also has four children from his previous marriages and has often spoken about how important family has become as he has grown older.
In a candid interview about his life, he said:
"Family is very important to me and has become more so as I've got older."
That down-to-earth outlook has remained a constant throughout his career. Despite decades of fame, David has always tried to stay grounded, once saying:
"You just have to be professional and show the kind of courtesy and interest in audiences that they have shown in me."
Now 79, David Essex continues to tour the UK, with his "Thanks for the Memories" tour celebrating a career that has spanned more than 60 years. Few performers have successfully balanced music, film, theatre and television for so long, and his songs and performances continue to be enjoyed by audiences old and new.
Happy 79th birthday, David Essex! 🎂
