Ricky Wilson reflected on his huge career change and how getting into radio has helped him following the success of the rock band.
The Kaiser Chiefs frontman, 46, opened up about the highs and lows of fame admitting radio is now ‘not only a joy’ but also a ‘three-hour mental workout, five days a week’ for him.
The singer discussed how he forged a new career in TV and radio after living it all up with the multi-platinum selling band – firstly joining The Voice for three seasons.
Meanwhile last year, he came second on The Masked Singer where he was disguised as Phoenix, and also presented an art show on CBBC.
But the rock star admitted that despite remembering fondly Kaiser Chiefs heyday, he does not miss the fame and feels very at home while doing radio.
Ricky Wilson reflected on his huge career change and how getting into radio has helped him following the success of the rock band (pictured last year)
The Kaiser Chief frontman, 46, opened up about the highs and lows of fame admitting radio is now ‘not only a joy’ but also a ‘three-hour mental workout, five days a week’ for him (pictured in 2019)
Speaking to Sunday Times, Ricky explained he has been juggling between work duties and fathering two-year-old twins.
He previously appeared on Radio X and Radio 2, but has now been a regular for 18 months hosting Virgin Radio’s weekday drivetime show.
Recalling how his first approach to radio was, he said: ‘At first I found it terrifying. There’s no one to bounce off — just me telling stories and musing on my life. The magic is in connecting with an audience.
‘TV doesn’t do that as much any more, but radio still has a strong community spirit. It’s much my preferred place to be.’
Ricky didn’t hide the fame during Kaiser Chief’s peak was ‘terrific’, although he doesn’t miss it.
Unveiling an ace up his sleeve, the TV personality revealed wearing ‘cheap jeans’ has always been his secret to not be recognised in public.
Ricky’s confidence with the spotlight must have been smooth also thanks to his father who was director of It’s A Knockout, a family-friendly TV game show watched by millions in the 1970s.
‘Only recently I realised that it must have massively affected what I do today. I am a nepo baby! Not because my parents’ past got me a job but because I saw what was possible. I’ve always been comfortable on sets. Nothing in the entertainment industry has felt out of reach to me. Hey, we used to have Su Pollard hang out at our house.’
But the rock star admitted that despite remembering fondly Kaiser Chief’s heydays, he does not miss the fame and feels very at home while doing radio (pictured in 2023)
Talking about getting into radio, he said: ‘TV doesn’t do that as much any more, but radio still has a strong community spirit. It’s much my preferred place to be’
‘I’ve always been comfortable on sets. Nothing in the entertainment industry has felt out of reach to me. Hey, we used to have Su Pollard hang out at our house,’ he told
Explaining his path to TV, Ricky recalled it was a tough time for the band which was in decline despite the success of their second album Yours Truly, Angry Mob from 2007.
‘The main reason I got into TV was to help us to sell more records,’ Wilson says, candidly. ‘The band back then were in a sticky situation.
‘Our drummer, who had also been our songwriter, had left and we were finding it increasingly difficult to get on to TV. The only option that presented itself was for me to be the TV.’
The English singer assured he is doing much better now, after in 2022 he appeared visibly drunk on the stage of O2 and was accused by fans of slurring his words amid a ‘shambolic’ gig.
At the time, concert-goers and online fans called his performance ‘terrible’, a ‘shambles’ and ‘painful’.
The artist apologised at the time for ‘a mistake’ and relying on ‘old drinking habits’ on the evening.
In a statement seen by The Sun published to social media which may now have been deleted, he said: ‘I don’t want to make any lame excuses, I’ve met some challenges in this life I’ve led, and stayed on top of them with the support I’ve always had around me.
‘The truth is I made a mistake on Saturday night at the O2, and relied on old drinking habits, it’s a mistake that upset and disappointed many of you, and some of those closest to me.
‘I try to take pride in not letting people down and seem to have let myself down in that respect the other night. I’m doing everything that is necessary for me not to let that happen again. And will continue to.’
Tickets for the show ranged from £33.75 to £55.75, according to the gigs and tours site.
Ricky has suffered from crippling anxiety in the past and in 2019 admitted that he turned to alcohol to tackle it.
Explaining his path to TV, Ricky recalled it was a tough time for the band which was in decline despite the success of their second album Yours Truly, Angry Mob from 2007 (Kaiser Chiefs pictured in 2016)
The English singer assured he is doing much better now, after in 2022 he appeared visibly drunk on the stage of O2 and was accused by fans of slurring his words amid a ‘shambolic’ gig
Ricky remarked he knew that was a clear sign he had to ‘fix up and look sharp’ once and for all and now he regularly runs and practices a more healthy and balanced lifestyle
In an interview he previously told the Guardian he was never ‘dependent’ on booze but was becoming more reliant on ‘finding ways to do it’.
He has been ’embarrassed’ and ‘ashamed’ about his drinking issues and said he never knew how to talk about it.
Apologising once again, Ricky remarked he knew that was a clear sign he had to ‘fix up and look sharp’ once and for all and now he regularly runs and practices a more healthy and balanced lifestyle.
