Nathan Sykes

Nathan Sykes is an English singer and songwriter from Gloucester, United Kingdom. He is best known as a member of the British boy band The Wanted.

Early life and training

Nathan James Sykes is born on 18 April 1993 in Gloucester. He begins singing at the age of six. He attends Sylvia Young Theatre School and Ribston Hall High School Sixth Form. He is the son of Harry and Karen Sykes, and has a younger sister, Jessica Sykes, who is also a singer.

Early performances and competitions

As a child, Sykes wins a number of competitions in 2003, including Britney Spears' Karaoke Kriminals and the Cheltenham Competitive Festival of Dramatic Art. In 2004, he appears on ITV's Ministry of Mayhem and wins the Door Youth Project's Undiscovered Youth Talent Contest with a performance of "Mack the Knife" in Derker. He also attempts to represent the UK at Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Lillehammer, where he finishes third in the final, behind Cory Spedding and Andrew Merry. In 2008, he performs for the Live and Unsigned music competition.

The Wanted

In 2009, at the age of 16, Sykes auditions for The Wanted, organised by Jayne Collins, and is chosen as one of the five members. The group also includes Max A. George, Siva Kaneswaran, Tom Parker and Jay McGuiness. The Wanted later goes on hiatus in early 2014.

Solo work and collaborations

In 2013, Sykes appears with Ariana Grande on "Almost Is Never Enough". He also appears in the E! reality series The Wanted Life in 2013. In 2014, he signs a record deal with Global Radio, the owner of Capital. He performs with Jessie J at Capital's Summertime Ball in June 2014 on "Calling All Hearts". In March 2015, he premieres the video for "More Than You’ll Ever Know" on VEVO. His debut solo single, "Kiss Me Quick", is released in the UK, and he also releases its video on VEVO in May 2015. He embarks on his first solo tour in April 2015, with six sold-out shows across the United Kingdom. He also joins the 2015 Capital's Summertime Ball line-up as a solo performer, making it his sixth consecutive appearance at the event, after appearances from 2010 to 2013 with The Wanted and in 2014 as Jessie J's guest.