Katie Price
Price in 2004
Born	Katrina Amy Alexandria Alexis Infield (1978-05-22) 22 May 1978 (age 34) Brighton, England
Residence	West Sussex[1]
Nationality	British
Other names	Jordan (pseudonym) Katie Andre (married name) Katie Reid (married name)
Occupation	Businesswoman, media personality, glamour model, author, singer
Years active	1996–present
Net worth	£40 million (US$66.76 million) (est.)
Height	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Spouse	Peter Andre (m. 2005–2009) «start: (2005-09-10)–end+1: (2009-09-09)»"Marriage: Peter Andre to Katie Price" Location: (linkback:http://en-wiki.pop.wn.com/index.php/Katie_Price) (divorced) Alex Reid (m. 2010–2011) «start: (2010-02-02)–end+1: (2012)»"Marriage: Alex Reid to Katie Price" Location: (linkback:http://en-wiki.pop.wn.com/index.php/Katie_Price) (separated)
Children	Harvey (born 2002) Junior (born 2005) Princess (born 2007)
Parents	Ray Infield (father) Amy Price (née Charlier) (mother)
Relatives	Daniel Price (brother) Sophie Price (half-sister)
Website
katieprice.co.uk

Katie Price (born 22 May 1978), previously known under the pseudonym Jordan, is an English media personality, author, former glamour model, occasional singer and businesswoman.

Her time at topless female glamour model pictorial Page Three in British tabloid newspaper The Sun instantly shot Price into the limelight. Her placement in the public's spotlight has allowed Price to expand into a variety of different industries including television, books, fashion and music.

Price has experienced many highly-publicised relationships in the eye of the British media and has been married twice, to singer Peter Andre in 2005 - the couple divorced in 2009 - and to professional fighter Alex Reid in 2010; the couple separated in 2011. Price's net worth was estimated at £45 million in April 2012.^[2]

Life and career[link]

1978–93: Early life[link]

Katie Price was born Katrina Amy Alexandria Alexis Infield in Brighton, East Sussex, England, to parents Amy (née Charlier) and Ray Infield.^[3] Her maternal grandmother was Jewish and her other grandparents on both sides were Anglican.^{[citation needed]} In 1982, at the age of four, her parents separated when her father left the family. In 1988, her mother married builder Paul Price, after which, Price obtained the surname.^[4] She has an older brother named Daniel and a younger maternal half-sister, Sophie.^[5]

Price attended Blatchington Mill School^{[citation needed]} and although not an academic student, she excelled at sport, swimming for Sussex in regional competitions.^[4] During her childhood she also developed a passion for horses and horse-riding.^[4] She was molested by a man in a park's bushes at the age of six.^[6] She began modelling as a child, and at the age of 13 modeled for a clothing line. However, unknown to Price, the project's photographer was a convicted paedophile and insisted on shooting her in her underwear.^[7]

1994–96: Career beginnings[link]

Price left school in 1994, at the age of 16,^[4] and after the suggestion of a friend to have some professional photographs taken she decided to pursue a modelling career.^[8] The pictures were sent to a modelling agency in London and in 1996 she was offered a job at Page Three, a topless female glamour model pictorial in British tabloid newspaper The Sun.^[9] She adopted the name Jordan in 1996, and made frequent appearances as a model on both Page Three and in men's lifestyle magazines.

1997–2003: Success as a model and branching into other areas[link]

In 1996, when she was eighteen, Price's fame grew when she had breast enhancement surgery; increasing her natural 32B/C to a 32D. Unhappy with her breasts from an early age and despite her family's objections, she went ahead with the procedure because she felt that as a glamour model, she did not look "as sexy or [as] womanly" as other models. She would later have many enhancements, as well as reductions, on her breasts. She told a reporter, "Some people may be famous for creating a pencil sharpener. I'm famous for my tits." However, The Sun later barred Price from Page Three after announcing that they would only hire "all natural" models. However, she would continue modelling and has featured on the covers of FHM, Maxim, Nuts, Loaded, Vogue, British Elle and the British edition of Playboy.

In an attempt to cross over from modelling to other areas, Price auditioned for a part on the UK television remake of the American-series Baywatch in 1998,^{[citation needed]} guest presented The Big Breakfast^{[citation needed]} and played herself in an episode of Dream Team.^{[citation needed]}

During the 2001 British General Election, Jordan ran as a candidate in Stretford and Urmston under her real name using the slogan: 'For a Bigger and Betta Future'. As part of her comical election campaign, she promised free breast implants, more nudist beaches, and a ban on parking tickets.^[10] In the end, Jordan won 713 votes,^[11] 1.8% of the votes cast.

In 2002, she appeared on the September cover of the American edition of Playboy magazine. ^[12] Price's reputation led to a trio of documentaries by film-maker Richard Macer: Jordan: The Truth About Me (2002); later followed by Jordan: The Model Mum and Jordan: You Don't Even Know Me (2004).

[edit] 2004–05: I'm a Celebrity, Peter Andre, Eurovision and further business ventures

Katie Price at a 2004 book signing event

Price's celebrity soon brought her to television; she was a contestant on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! between the months of January and February in 2004, a reality television series where a group of celebrities live together in a jungle environment with few luxuries. It was there that she met Peter Andre whom she would eventually marry and later divorce.

She made a cameo appearance playing herself in an episode of the television drama series Footballers' Wives in March 2004 and also appeared in the programme Jordan Gets Even for Five.

Price appeared on Top Gear's "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" in May 2004. She completed the lap in one minute and fifty-two seconds.

Price released the first of four autobiographies Being Jordan in May 2004. Initially turned down by the mainstream publishing houses after demanding a £1 million advance, she was eventually signed up by small independent publisher John Blake, a former tabloid journalist, for £10,000 plus royalties. In a departure from industry norms, she conducted a 10-day book signing tour which provoked enough interest – contrary to expectations and almost exclusively female – to propel her to first position in the Nielsen BookScan hardback sales chart and to sell 97,090 copies in one year; and over 1,000,000 as of January 2007.^[13][14][15]

She appeared in the documentaries Jordan: Living With a Dream (Channel 4) and the series When Jordan Met Peter (ITV), Jordan & Peter: Laid Bare (ITV2) and Jordan & Peter: Marriage and Mayhem (ITV2).

Price was one of the contestants in the selection process of finding a representative for the United Kingdom at the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. The selection process, named Making Your Mind Up, was broadcast live on television in March 2005. Price sang a song titled "Not Just Anybody" wearing a skin-tight pink catsuit. She came in second place^[16] behind winner Javine.

In the summer of summer 2005, Price was one of many guest hosts of the first series of The Friday Night Project. In December 2005, she released an exercise fitness DVD, The Jordan Workout, featuring "The Juice Master" Jason Vale.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] 2006–07: Book releases, A Whole New World and Katie & Peter

Her second autobiography, A Whole New World, was published in January 2006. It reached number two in the hardback general category and sold 198,105 copies by 1 April 2006.^[17]

Her first ghost-written novel, Angel, about a young woman who becomes a model, was published in July 2006, and sold 300,000 copies in six weeks.^{[citation needed]}

Price, with Peter Andre, released A Whole New World, a duet album, in November 2006. All sales of the album went to their chosen charities affiliated with the many health conditions of her eldest son, Harvey.^{[citation needed]} The album debuted at number twenty on the UK Albums Chart and achieved platinum status.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006 Price signed a £300,000 advance with Random House for Katie Price's Perfect Ponies,^[18] a series of children's books, with the first 6 released in 2007. Three more books have been released throughout 2008.^{[14][dead link][19]} A title from that series, My Pony Care Book, was nominated for the WH Smith's Children's Book of the Year. In 2008, she released a new children's book series entitled Mermaids & Pirates, with six in the series. Four more are expected for release in April 2008.^[20]

Katie & Peter: Unleashed began in October 2007 on ITV2.^[21] A new series titled, Katie & Peter: The Next Chapter Down Under aired on ITV2 in March 2008 running for 13 weeks.^[22] Katie & Peter: Stateside began on Thursday 16 April 2009 on ITV2 and followed the family as they relocate to Malibu, California for three months, where Andre recorded his new album.

Her second ghost-written novel, Crystal, about a young woman's efforts to become a singer, sold 159,407 copies during the first three months after its release in June 2007.^[23] All four books were ghost-written by Rebecca Farnworth.^[24][25]

[edit] 2008–09: Business ventures, split from Peter Andre, What Katie Did Next and return to I'm a Celebrity

Price modelling a bikini in November 2009

In February 2008, Price's third autobiography, Pushed to the Limit, was released. In July 2008, Price released her third novel, Angel Uncovered. In July 2009, Price released a novel entitled Sapphire which was number 1 on the hardback fiction chart for four consecutive weeks and sold 42,215 copies in its first two weeks in the UK alone.^[26]

After three and a half years of marriage, Price and Andre separated in May 2009 after Andre's decision to leave her. They were officially divorced on 8 September 2009, two days before what would have been their fourth wedding anniversary.^[27]

A series aired in August/September 2009 called What Katie Did Next (now called Katie), which showed Price's life/career after her split and eventual divorce from Andre. Price released a fashion/how-to manual in October 2009 called Standing Out.

In November 2009, Price made a return visit to I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. Presenters Ant & Dec insinuated during the broadcast that the surprise of Price's return had been ruined by the media.^[28] Whilst in the jungle, the public repeatedly voted Price to undertake each and every "Bush Tucker Trial" challenge. After it had been announced that Price had been selected for her seventh consecutive trial, she decided to quit the show and left one week after her arrival.

[edit] 2010–present: Alex Reid, You Only Live Once and current business ventures

In July 2010, Price released "Free to Love Again", a non-album single. About the release, she explained: "I'm not a singer, this is just something that I'm doing for fun. It's not like I'm worried about getting a chart position or number one, this is purely for fun. Whether people like it or not, I'm doing it."^[29] The single had scarce promotion or radio play and was negatively received by contemporary critics.^{[citation needed]} It charted at number sixty on the UK Singles Chart^[30] and was only supported by performances on GMTV and at various London nightclubs. On all occasions, she admitted that she had been lip-synching.

Price released her fifth novel, Paradise, in July 2010.^{[citation needed]}

Giving a personal insight to her life between the start of 2008 and the summer of 2010, Price released her fourth autobiography titled You Only Live Once in October 2010. The book documents her split from Andre and leads up to her marriage to Alex Reid. Price dedicated the autobiography to Andre, amongst other family members and close friends, in the "hope [that he] find the happiness [he has] always been searching for". She also thanks him for taking her on a journey of self-discovery.^{[citation needed]}

Price continues to write a regular advice column in OK! magazine.^[22]

In January 2011, it was reported in the Daily Mirror that Price was separating from Reid.^[31]

Katie is confirmed to dance with her boyfriend Leandro Penna on the Argentine television programme Bailando por un Sueño 2012 of the channel El Trece.

Endorsements[link]

In October 2003, Price appeared in an advertising campaign for the supermarket chain Kwik Save. To publicise the chain's promotion to cut the prices of their leading lines in half, Price was sawn in half by magician Peter McCahon.^[32]

In November 2006, Price launched The Katie Price Lingerie Collection in conjunction with Panache, available exclusively at Asda stores, as well as a follow-up jewellery deal with Argos.

In 2007, Price was announced as the new face of Foxy Bingo and launched a hair care range at Superdrug. She also brought out her first perfume, 'Stunning', in August. Her second perfume, 'Besotted', was released in September 2008. November 2007 saw Price releasing her 'Jordan' hair care electrical range at Superdrug. There was a hairdryer, straighteners and curlers. She released a second, similar range in November 2008 under the name 'Katie Price', to somewhat differing design.

In 2008, Price signed a deal with Derby House to launch her equestrian range named 'KP Equestrian'.^[33] On 23 March 2008, Price launched her springwear of KP Equestrian as well as KP Pony, which is for children.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, Price was refused admission to Guards Polo Club for the most prestigious day in the international Polo Season and a highlight of the British Social Season, the Hurlingham Polo Cartier International match for the Coronation Cup, presented by Prince Charles. She attempted to circumvent this by buying a table at the Chinawhite marquee for £6,000 through her agent, but this was refused as well. A statement said "Jordan has been told she is not welcome. Polo is very prestigious and there are certain names they want there and others they definitely don’t. Jordan is still too 'chavvy' as far as Cartier is concerned. Having Jordan there just wouldn’t be in keeping with Cartier’s image. If she turns up she will not be allowed access".^[34]

In 2009 Price was named as the Patron of a charity polo match that was played at an Estate, near Epping, Essex. She was photographed arriving by helicopter, wearing a mini-dress and stiletto heels. Ex-boyfriend Dane Bowers and Jade Goody's widower Jack Tweed also attended.^[35]

Controversy[link]

Price and Andre were criticised for sexually explicit behaviour in their reality show. In taping the show the couple re-enacted sex scenes (while fully clothed) and had frank discussions about sex.^[36]

The couple were libelled by an ex-employee and later accepted damages from the News of the World newspaper after it published the accusations about their parental abilities.^[37]

In May 2009, three days after her announced separation from Andre, her management company of five years said that they would no longer represent her. They have chosen to represent Andre instead.^[38]

Personal life[link]

Relationships[link]

Peter Andre and Price during the 2009 London Marathon

Price embarked on several brief relationships with celebrities and sports stars including footballers Teddy Sheringham, Dwight Yorke, singer Gareth Gates, and Warren Furman (Ace from the television series Gladiators).^[39] Jordan experienced a much-publicised relationship with Dane Bowers of the boy band Another Level and had an abortion after discovering he had cheated on her.^[39]

After spending time on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Price and Peter Andre got together. In September 2005, she married Andre, at Highclere Castle, Hampshire. However, in May 2009, they announced that they were separating after three and a half years of marriage.^[40][41] In a televised interview with Piers Morgan in July 2009, Price claimed that their break-up was partly due to Andre's jealousy of her relationship with dressage trainer Andrew Gould, which she claimed was entirely platonic. However, she described it finally came to an end when she was photographed in a Bristol nightclub after she and Andre had agreed that they would not go out without each other. She also revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage before the split.^[42]

In July 2009, Price began dating MMA fighter and former Hollyoaks actor Alex Reid.^[43] On 2 February 2010, Price married Alex Reid in a private ceremony in Las Vegas at the chapel in the Wynn Hotel,^[44][45] although some press reports claimed their wedding was not legal.^[46] They later formally married in a church in the UK which was filmed and shown on her TV series. They separated in January 2011.^[47] She then began dating Argentine model Leandro Penna after meeting him at the Oscars. In April 2011, while visiting his parents in Córdoba Province in Argentina, they had an auto accident when they ran into a pair of horses.^[48] They split in October 2011,^[49] but are still together in love, Finally, the former model said through her Twitter account to follow in love with Argentine model, achieving reconciliation between both.

Children[link]

In May 2002, she gave birth to her first son, Harvey, in Brighton. Harvey's father is former footballer Dwight Yorke. Jordan has said she had intended to have at least one birth shown live over the Internet, but she later decided to keep it private.^[50] He was found to be blind, having a condition known as septo-optic dysplasia, meaning that the development of his optic nerve was unpredictable. As he has matured, she has also discovered that he is on the autistic spectrum, gains weight easily, and finds walking difficult.^[39]

In June 2005, Price gave birth by Caesarean section to her second child, a boy named Junior Savva Andreas Andre, in Westminster, London.^[51] In June 2007, she gave birth to her third child: a daughter named Princess Tiaamii Crystal Esther Andre.^[52]

Surgery[link]

In 2002, Price was treated for cancer. She had a leiomyosarcoma on her finger and the tumour was removed at a Nuffield Hospital near her Brighton home.^[53]

In December 2007, Price underwent surgery in the United States to reduce the size of her breast implants and also had rhinoplasty. However, she was not happy with the results of her breast implants, so returned to Beverly Hills, California in July 2008 for corrective surgery. She returned to the United Kingdom with much smaller breasts: a size 32C.^[54]

Legal issues[link]

In September 2009, Price claimed that she had previously been raped by a "famous celebrity", but had not reported the incident. Price insisted that she would "absolutely never" reveal who the attacker was.^[55] Surrey Police stated that they had not contacted Price: "No allegation of rape has been made and Miss Price will not be making a statement to police".^[56]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Singles[link]

Bibliography[link]

Autobiographies[link]

• Being Jordan (2004)
• A Whole New World (2006)
• Pushed to the Limit (2008)
• You Only Live Once (2010)

Novels[link]

• Angel (2006)
• Crystal (2007)
• Angel Uncovered (2008)
• Sapphire (2009)
• Paradise (2010)
• The Comeback Girl (2011)
• Santa Baby (2011)
• In the Name of Love (2012)

Series[link]

• Perfect Ponies (2007–10)
  • Here Comes the Bride, Little Treasures, Fancy Dress Ponies, Pony Club Weekend, The New Best Friend, Ponies to the Rescue, My Pony Care Book, Star Ponies, Pony 'n' Pooch, Pony in Disguise, Stage Fright!, Secrets and Surprises, Wild West Weekend (in order of publication date)
• Mermaids & Pirates (2008–10)
  • Follow the Fish, I Spy, Let's Build a Sandcastle, A Sunny Day, Telescope Overboard, Time for a Picnic, All Around, Hide and Seek, Katie the Mermaid, Katie's Day, Peter's Friends, Pirate Olympics (in order of publication date)

Fashion[link]

• Standing Out (2009)

Awards and nominations[link]

See also[link]

• List of glamour models

Notes[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Katie Price

External links[link]

• Official website
• Katie Price at the Internet Movie Database

Lee Gordon McKillop (born 4 August 1968) is an English stand-up comedian and actor, known by the stage name Lee Mack.^[1] He is well known in the United Kingdom for writing and starring in the sitcom Not Going Out, for being a team captain on Would I Lie to You? and for hosting Lee Mack's All Star Cast.

Personal life[link]

Mack was born on 4 August 1968 and lived in Southport, then in Lancashire and now in Merseyside, above a pub until he was 12 when his parents separated and he moved to Blackburn, Lancashire.^[1][2] He went to Birkdale County Junior School and Stanley High School.^[3] After leaving school he worked in a bingo hall and as a stableboy. After working at the stable for three days he asked if he could try and ride a horse; the trainer agreed and the first horse he ever rode was Red Rum.^[1][4] After that, Mack became a blue coat for Pontin's at Hemsby near Great Yarmouth.^[1] After appearing on stage drunk one night, and calling an audience member a "cunt", he was sacked from the Hemsby team, and did six months at Pontins in Morecambe.^[1] Mack admitted during an interview to having a massive fear of flying.

Mack went on to have various other jobs, and did his first open mike slot in 1994, while studying at Brunel University.^[1] Within 18 months he was a full time comedian.^[1]

Mack lives in Hammersmith, West London, with his wife, Tara and their children, Arlo (born 2004) and Louie (born 2006), and a baby daughter, Millie, born October 2011. He also has six nieces and nephews, who have all appeared in his shows at one point.^{[citation needed]}

In February 2009 Mack, with other British entertainers, signed an open letter to The Times on the Bahá'í leaders then on trial in Iran.^[5]

Lee Mack said in an interview with The Guardian^[6] that he first went into comedy by doing Bobby Ball impressions at his school when he was 15.

Lee is a supporter of Blackburn Rovers and often visits Ewood Park to watch games.^{[citation needed]}

Career[link]

Mack first came to prominence on winning So You Think You're Funny at the 1995 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Since then Mack has played the part of Graham, the security guard in the original radio version of The Mighty Boosh, and also has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2 called The Lee Mack Show, which features a different celebrity co-hosting the show. He was a cast member for ITV's The Sketch Show.^[1] and featured in the American (USA) version of the same name

In 2005 Mack presented They Think It's All Over, a sports based comedy panel game, formerly presented by Nick Hancock.^[1] However, it proved to be the show's final series.^[1] In 2007 he appeared on TV Heaven, Telly Hell.

His first sitcom Not Going Out for BBC One with Tim Vine (in which he plays Lee, the central character) premièred on 6 October 2006. The show has since returned for a second series (September 2007), a third series (January 2009), a fourth series (February 2011) and a fifth series (April 2012). It will be returning for a sixth and seventh series, currently scheduled for 2013 and 2014. It has won a Rose d'Or and RTS Award. He is a team captain on the BBC One panel show Would I Lie to You?.^[1] He has also been guest host on Have I Got News for You 5 times: 23 May 2008, 12 June 2009, 1 April 2010, 2 December 2010 and 28 October 2011. He was guest host on Never Mind the Buzzcocks on 9 December 2010.

Mack has contributed to Comic Relief

Mack has also appeared on Jack Dee Live at the Apollo

Mack went on tour in 2006 and filmed his first live DVD at the Bloomsbury Theatre, which was released the following year.

In spring 2010 Mack embarked on his "Going Out" tour. Extra dates were added for autumn 2010 due to his spring tour being sold out well in advance. Going Out Live, his second live DVD, was filmed at the Hammersmith Apollo and was released in November. Other notable venues of the tour included the Gulbenkian Theatre, the Blackpool Tower, Brighton Dome, Alexandra Theatre and the Longacre Theatre in New York City.

In December 2010 he performed at the Royal Variety Performance.^[7]

In June 2011, he launched a new show entitled Lee Mack's All Star Cast for the BBC. It features members of the audience taking part in silly games to get a spot in a sketch at the end of the show.^[8]

Stand-up DVDs[link]

TV[link]

• Not Going Out Himself/Lee
• Would I Lie to You? Himself
• The Graham Norton Show Himself
• The Sketch Show Himself
• Lee Mack's All Star Cast Himself
• Alan Carr Chatty Man Himself
• QI Himself
• Have I Got News For You Himself

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Tour website
• Lee Mack at the Internet Movie Database

This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions. (December 2010)

Peter Andre
Andre in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Peter James Andrea [1]
Born	(1973-02-27) 27 February 1973 (age 39) Brent, London, England[2]
Origin	Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Genres	R&B, pop, pop rock, urban
Occupations	Musician, singer-songwriter, television personality, author, businessman
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1991[3]–present (singer) 2004–present (presenter) 2009–present (business)
Labels	Melodian (1991–96) Mushroom (1995–98) EastWest (1997–2004) K&P Recordings (2006) Conehead (2009–11)
Website	peterandre.com

Peter James Andre (born 27 February 1973) is an English and Australian musician. Andre is best known for his singles "Mysterious Girl" and "Flava". He is the ex-husband of glamour model Katie Price, with whom he had two children.

In 2009, he made a successful musical comeback after the release of his 2006 album with then-wife Price, A Whole New World. In 2009, he released his first album in four years, Revelation with a new single "Behind Closed Doors" which reached #3 on the UK Singles Charts. This was followed by Accelerate in 2010.

Early life[link]

Andre was born at Northwick Park Hospital in Brent, London on 27 February 1973.^{[citation needed]} The family emigrated to Australia when he was six years old.^{[citation needed]} 3 years later, they moved back to England for just 18 months, only to move back to Australia.^{[citation needed]} At the age of 13, Peter wrote his first song 'Dream a Little' along with his older brother Chris. The song later became part of his debut album Peter Andre. By the time he was 16, Andre had written many songs, some co-written with his brother Michael. At age 16, Peter became a contestant on Hey Hey It's Saturday 'New Faces' on which he was offered a recording contract for £46,000 live on Australian television.

Career[link]

1991–2004: Early Singing Career[link]

Along side his Andre's first top 50 single in the United Kingdom was called "Only One", which reached number 16^{[citation needed]} and then gained further success with the song "Mysterious Girl" (featuring Bubbler Ranx), which reached number 2 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in Australia.^{[citation needed]} He then had a number 1 album Natural and two U.K. number 1 singles Flava and I Feel You, both produced by Richard Pascoe (RP Management) . His last single from the album was "Natural", the song peaked at number 6 in the UK singles chart.^{[citation needed]}

In November 1997, Andre release his second album Time. The album saw three singles released - "All About Us", released in August 1997 and peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart; "Lonely" reached number 6 in the charts; and, "All Night, All Right", peaking at number 16. The album peaked at number 28 in the UK album charts.

In 1998, he released his last single, a cover of the song "Kiss the Girl" from Disney's The Little Mermaid, before being dropped by his record company and taking a long break from his music career.^{[citation needed]} It peaked at number 9 in the UK singles chart.^{[citation needed]} He also appeared on the Childliners record The Gift Of Christmas and in the following years he spent some time in Cyprus.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] 2004–07: The Long Road Back, A Whole New World and hiatus

He returned to the British media with a stint on the British reality TV series I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!; during which he met, fell in love with and subsequently married former glamour model Katie Price. He re-released his hit song Mysterious Girl in 2004, the single finally reaching number 1, eight years after it was originally released in 1995 which reached number 2 on the charts.^{[citation needed]} He released a follow-up song, "Insania", which reached number 3 in the United Kingdom in June 2004.^{[citation needed]} A follow-up album entitled The Long Road Back was also released that month, reaching number 44 in the UK album charts. The next single from the album was "The Right Way", featuring Price in the video.^{[citation needed]} This reached number 14 in September 2004.^[4]

Andre and wife Price released a duet album, A Whole New World, on 27 November 2006. The album consisted largely of cover versions and finally peaked at number 20 in the UK album charts. The album was followed by a single, "A Whole New World", on 14 December 2006. The single peaked at number 12.^[4]

[edit] 2009–10: Revelation & Unconditional: Love Songs

In 2008, Andre began working on his new album with executive producer Richard Pascoe (RP Management) and producer AC Burrell (Black Smoke Productions). Revelation was released on 14 September 2009. The first single, Behind Closed Doors, was released in August 2009 and peaked at number 4 in the UK singles chart. He performed the song at T4 on the Beach. The album Revelation peaked at number 3 in the UK album charts. It has sold over 300,000 copies. The second single from the album was Unconditional, which peaked at number 50 in the UK singles chart.^[5]

On 1 February 2010, he released the album Unconditional: Love Songs. It entered the UK album charts at number 9, and the following week peaked at number 7. As part as promotion for the album, Andre made a video for the song I Can't Make You Love Me and released it for the music channels. Also as part of promotion, Peter sang the song Sign Your Name on GMTV.^{[citation needed]} Both the songs were recorded as covers for the album.^[5]

On 18 July 2010, Andre performed at The Midlands Music Festival in Tamworth. He also performed at the V Festival and packed out the Nissan Juke tent during which he gave an emotional performance thanking his fans for sticking by him during a tough few years.^[5] In February, March and April 2010, Andre embarked on a 38-date tour of the UK. The tour was announced after the success for the album Revelation.^[6]

[edit] 2010–present: Accelerate

The first single from Andre's new album "Accelerate", titled "Defender" was released on 25 October 2010.^{[citation needed]} The song peaked at number 14 in the UK singles chart.^{[citation needed]} The album was released on 1 November 2010. It reached number 10 in the UK album charts in its first week.^{[citation needed]} Songs from the album were performed on a 14-date Arena tour across the UK in December.^{[citation needed]}

The second single "Perfect Night" will be released in July 2011.^{[citation needed]}

He has recently announced a 2012/2013 UK tour called "Up Close and Personal" which will see him play at a variety of venues around the UK whilst working on his new album.

Non-acting ventures[link]

Andre released a fragrance for women called Unconditional.^[7] Later, Andre released a male fragrance Conditional.^[8]

In 2010, Andre released a book, My World: In Pictures and Words, which reached number two on the UK book charts.^[9] In 2010, Andre released a second perfume, called Mysterious Girl, named after his hit single.^[10]

Andre was a reporter for daytime magazine show This Morning, hosting the show with Kate Thornton in October 2009.^[11]

Andre hosted "The 5 O'Clock Show" show in June 2010.^[12]

He is a regular on the ITV game show Odd One In.^[13]

Andre opened the New York Coffee Club in East Grinstead, West Sussex on November 10, 2011,^[14] and four months after it had been opened, the Food Standards Agency gave it one star.^[15]

Filmography[link]

Personal life[link]

Peter Andre and Katie Price during the 2009 London Marathon.

Andre married Katie Price on 10 September 2005. They have two children - a son, Junior Savva Andrea (born 13 June 2005)^[17] and a daughter, Princess Tiaamii Andrea (born 29 June 2007).^[18] While married to Price, Andre was stepfather to her son Harvey, a blind and autistic child from Price's earlier relationship with football player Dwight Yorke.^[19]

In May 2009, it was announced that Andre and Price had separated after three and a half years of marriage.^[20] Andre and Price were officially divorced on 8 September 2009.^[21]

On 27 April 2007, it was reported in several newspapers in the United Kingdom that Andre had been diagnosed with meningitis.^[22] He was discharged from hospital on 3 May 2007.^[23]

Discography[link]

• Peter Andre (1993)
• Natural (1996)
• Time (1997)
• The Long Road Back (2004)
• A Whole New World (2006)
• Revelation (2009)
• Unconditional: Love Songs (2010)
• Accelerate (2010)

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Peter Andre

External links[link]

• Official website
• Peter Andre: The Next Chapter at itv.com
• Peter Andre at Allmusic
• Peter Andre at the Internet Movie Database

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (July 2009)

Graham Norton
Norton in May 2010
Birth name	Graham William Walker
Born	(1963-04-04) 4 April 1963 (age 49) Clondalkin, Dublin, Ireland
Medium	Television, radio, stand-up
Nationality	Irish
Years active	1992–present
Genres	Observational comedy
Subject(s)	Everyday life, pop culture, current events, celebrities, sex
Notable works and roles	So Graham Norton V Graham Norton The Graham Norton Effect Graham Norton's Bigger Picture The Graham Norton Show

Graham William Walker, known by his stage name Graham Norton, (born 4 April 1963)^[1] is an Irish actor, comedian, television presenter and columnist. He is the host of comedy chat programme The Graham Norton Show on BBC One in the UK and BBC America in the US. Hot Press has described him as "the 21st century's answer to Terry Wogan", with both men sharing an Irish background and the common link of being a BBC Radio 2 presenter and the BBC television commentator of the Eurovision Song Contest.^[2] Norton has won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Entertainment Performance on five occassions.

Early life and career[link]

Norton was born in Clondalkin, a suburb of Dublin, but grew up in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland to a Protestant family. He was educated at Bandon Grammar School, in County Cork and then University College Cork but did not complete his studies.

In 1992 his stand-up comedy drag act in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as a tea-towel clad Mother Teresa of Calcutta made the press when Scottish Television's religious affairs department mistakenly thought he represented the real Mother Teresa.^[3]

His first appearances in broadcasting were in his spot as a regular comedian and panellist on the BBC Radio 4 show Loose Ends, when the show ran on Saturday mornings, in the early 1990s. His rise to fame began as one of the early successes of Channel 5, when he won an award for his performance as the stand-in host of a late-night TV talk show usually presented by Jack Docherty.^[4][5] This was followed by a comic quiz show on Channel 5 called Bring Me the Head of Light Entertainment, which was not well received as a programme, but did further enhance Norton's individual reputation as a comic and TV host. In 1996, Norton co-hosted the late-night quiz show Carnal Knowledge on ITV with Maria McErlane.

In 1996, Norton played the part of Father Noel Furlong in three episodes ("Hell", "Flight Into Terror", "The Mainland") of the Channel 4 series Father Ted. Father Noel Furlong was often seen taking charge of a small youth folk-group.

Channel 4[link]

After this early success, Norton moved to Channel 4 to host his own chat shows including So Graham Norton and V Graham Norton. As a performer who is not only openly gay,^[6] but also camp and flamboyant, it was here that Norton's act was fully honed as a cheeky, innuendo-laden joker.

In 2003, he was the subject of controversy when, on his show on Channel 4, he made a comedic reference to the recent death of Bee Gees singer Maurice Gibb. The Independent Television Commission investigated after complaints about this insensitivity were forwarded to it and eventually Channel 4 had to make two apologies: one in the form of a caption slide before the show, another from Norton in person.

Also in 2003, he was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy. (Though Norton is Irish, the bulk of his television career has been in the UK.)

In the summer of 2004, Norton moved across the Atlantic to start a new venture in American television. The Graham Norton Effect debuted on 24 June 2004 on Comedy Central, and was also broadcast in the UK on BBC Three. In the midst of controversy surrounding Janet Jackson's Super Bowl performance, Norton was wary of moving into the market.^[7]

BBC[link]

Norton at 2009 BAFTA awards

In 2005, Norton moved to the BBC and began hosting the Saturday evening reality TV series Strictly Dance Fever on BBC One, as well as a new comedy chat show, Graham Norton's Bigger Picture. He also read stories some nights on the BBC children's channel CBeebies as part of Bedtime Hour.

In 2006, Norton hosted the BBC One series How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? in which Andrew Lloyd Webber tried to find a lead actress for his West End version of The Sound of Music. Norton has subsequently presented the 3 follow-up series: Any Dream Will Do in 2007, in which a group of males competed to win the role of Joseph in the West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; I'd Do Anything in 2008, in which Andrew Lloyd Webber seeks to find the part of Nancy and Oliver for Sir Cameron Mackintosh's production of Lionel Bart's Oliver!; and Over the Rainbow in 2010, following a similar format to find a new Dorothy for a Wizard of Oz West end Production.

Norton hosted various other shows for the BBC during this time, including When Will I Be Famous? (2007), The One and Only (2008) and Totally Saturday (2009). Since 2007, Norton has also been a regular host of The British Academy Television Awards. On 7 July 2007, Norton presented at Live Earth and undertook a trip to Ethiopia with the Born Free Foundation to highlight the plight of the Ethiopian wolf – the rarest canid in the world. In the same year, he was the subject of an episode of the BBC1 genealogy documentary Who Do You Think You Are?.

Norton's chat show, The Graham Norton Show, began on 22 February 2007 on BBC Two. Although in a format that he had not been involved in for 4 years, it is very similar to his previous Channel 4 shows. On 6 October 2009, the show moved to BBC One, in a new one-hour format.

In May 2010, he stood in for Chris Evans' breakfast show on BBC Radio 2. Later that month, it was confirmed that he would be replacing Jonathan Ross's Saturday morning slot on the same station.

In December 2011, the panel show Would You Rather...? with Graham Norton premiered on BBC America in the time slot immediately following The Graham Norton Show. Recorded in New York, it is one of BBC America's earliest efforts at producing original programming, and is also the first panel game the channel has shown, either of British or American origin.

In January 2012, he called on listeners to his Radio 2 show to help find his car hours after it was stolen. He called it "The Great Car Hunt" and told listeners to “Keep your eyes out for it. It was filthy by the way."

Eurovision[link]

Norton with Josh Dubovie at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010

Norton hosted the first annual Eurovision Dance Contest alongside Claudia Winkleman which was held on 1 September 2007 in London, England. The format was based on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and the EBU's Eurovision Song Contest. Norton and Winkleman also hosted the 2008 Contest in Glasgow, Scotland.

In October 2008, it was confirmed by the BBC that Norton would replace Terry Wogan as the BBC's presenter for the UK heats of the Eurovision Song Contest, in a show to be called Your Country Needs You.

On 5 December 2008 it was announced that Norton would also take over from Wogan as the presenter of the main Eurovision Song Contest.^[8] The 54th Eurovision Song Contest was held in the Olimpiyskiy (Olympic) Stadium, Moscow on 16 May 2009.

Norton's jokes during his debut received some positive reviews from the British media. The Guardian noted his comments on Iceland's entry, which finished in second place, had "rooted around in a cupboard and found an old bridesmaid dress from 1987" and the Armenian singers, who finished in tenth place, were sporting traditional dress, "which would be true if you come from the village where Liberace is the mayor."^[9] The Times noted his highlighting of the arrest of thirty gay rights protesters in Moscow – "heavy-handed policing has really marred what has been a fantastic Eurovision."^[9]

His comment “The bad news is you’re about to watch Albania. She’s only 17 so please bear that in mind. Where was her mother? Why didn’t she step in and say no?” which was made just before Albanian singer Kejsi Tola was set to take the stage dubbed an insult by many, sent ripples of outrage through not only Albania, but also the Albanian population in Britain. He then announced that Albania should get no points and that he didn't care what anybody else thought. There was a petition circling the net calling for a formal apology from Norton. The petition, which called his comment “very rude and insulting,” had drawn over 1,000 signatures. He never responded.^[10]

In 2011, he snarked that if Jedward's entry into the competition that year won, the twins would never sleep again. In the end, they were eighth. Earlier in that year's televote, he joked "Quick, someone take a picture", when The British entry that year went temporarily in the lead early on after high votes from Russia(4), Bulgaria(12) and Italy(10). In the end, the song dropped down the 11th, earning 100 points. Very annoyed, Norton claimed 'We were better than Jedward'.

In 2012, Norton joked about the Spanish singer Pastora Soler and the economic situation of Spain. This statements unleashed many bad reviews on the internet. Norton joked about Rona Nishliu (the singer of Albania) too. He said that Rona was a singer that "she shout a lot".

Other[link]

In July 2000 Graham was one of three judges of the Miss Lesbian Beauty Contest 2000 held at The Talk of London, Drury Lane. The contest was won by 42 year old Carol Hutchins who wowed the audience with her sit-down comedy routine from a wheelchair. Graham described Carol as a "very bright, funny lady."

Graham Norton played Mr. Puckov in the 2006 American comedy spoof film Another Gay Movie. In 2007, Norton played Taylor in the romantic comedy film I Could Never Be Your Woman.

Norton was involved in a high-publicity advertising campaign for the UK National Lottery as an animated unicorn, the stooge to a character based on Lady Luck (played by Fay Ripley). He has also advertised McVitie's biscuits.

In 2007, Norton featured in Girls Aloud and Sugababes' Comic Relief video for the single "Walk This Way."

In January 2009, Norton made his West End stage debut in a revival of La Cage Aux Folles at the Playhouse Theatre.

Since 2009, Norton has been the host of the comedy game-show Most Popular on US cable television channel WE tv.^[11]

Norton currently writes an advice column in The Daily Telegraph newspaper. In October 2010, these columns were made into a book entitled Ask Graham, published by John Blake Publishing.

Personal life[link]

Norton with a dog in 2006, supporting Crusaid.

Norton has stated that he felt "out of place" growing up in Ireland; his family are Protestant yet the Republic of Ireland is overwhelmingly Catholic. Norton took part in the TV programme, Who Do You Think You Are?, to trace his ancestry. It was discovered that his family were originally planters sent over from England to take over Irish land. Some members of his family had fought for the British Monarchy during the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and taken part in a massacre of Catholics in Carnew Castle. Another member of his family was later killed in battle by the United Irishmen. Norton said he was comforted to find out that his family had resided in Ireland for generations.^[12]

In 1989 while living in London, Norton was mugged, beaten and stabbed by a group of attackers on the street. He says he lost half his blood and nearly died, and he was hospitalised for two and a half weeks.^[13][14]

Norton is openly gay.^[6][15][16]

Norton owns a holiday home in Ahakista, County Cork, which is near to where he grew up, in Bandon. The house has a private beach and overlooks Dunmanus Bay.

TV appearances[link]

Main presenting credits[link]

• Carnal Knowledge (TV series, co-presenter) (1996, 27 one hour shows)
• Bring Me the Head of Light Entertainment
• So Graham Norton (1998–2002)
• V Graham Norton (2002–2003)
• NY Graham Norton (2004)
• The Graham Norton Effect (2004–2005)
• Graham Norton's Bigger Picture (2005–2006)
• Strictly Dance Fever (2005–2006)
• BBC/Andrew Lloyd Webber musical theater talent searches (2006–present)
  • How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? (2006)
  • Any Dream Will Do (2007)
  • I'd Do Anything (2008)
  • Over the Rainbow (2010)
• The Big Finish (2006–)
• When Will I Be Famous? (2007)
• The Graham Norton Show (2007–present)
• The British Academy Television Awards (2007)
• Live Earth (2007)
• Eurovision Dance Contest (2007)
• The One and Only (2008)
• Eurovision Dance Contest (2008)
• Eurovision: Your Country Needs You (2009–present)
• Eurovision Song Contest (UK commentator, 2009–present)
• Totally Saturday (2009)
• Most Popular (2009–present)
• Would You Rather...? with Graham Norton (BBC America, 2011–present)

Other television credits[link]

Radio[link]

• Just a Minute

Sitting in for Steve Wright August 2009 BBC Radio 2

Sitting in for Chris Evans May /July 2010 BBC Radio 2

On 2 October 2010, he began his weekly BBC Radio 2 Saturday show taking over from Jonathan Ross. The show airs from 10.00am-1.00pm and combines a mixture of music, chat and celebrity guests.

2011/12 Radio 2 Saturday mornings

Filmography[link]

Stand-Up videos[link]

• Live At The Roundhouse (19 November 2001)

Awards[link]

• 1999 : Gaytime Award for Gay Entertainer of the Year
• 2000 : BAFTA Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance – So Graham Norton
• 2001 : BAFTA Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance - So Graham Norton
• 2001 : RTS Television Award for Best Presenter – So Graham Norton
• 2001 : TRIC Award TV Personality of the Year
• 2002 : BAFTA Television Award for Best Entertainment Perfromance - So Graham Norton
• 2011 : BAFTA Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance – The Graham Norton Show ^[17]
• 2012 : BAFTA Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance - The Graham Norton Show

References[link]

External links[link]

• Graham Norton Radio 2 at BBC Programmes
• The Graham Norton Show at BBC Programmes
• Graham Norton at the Internet Movie Database
• Graham Norton at the British Film Institute's Screenonline

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (November 2008)

Dwight Yorke

Personal information
Full name	Dwight Eversley Yorke
Date of birth	(1971-11-03) 3 November 1971 (age 40)
Place of birth	Canaan, Trinidad and Tobago
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position	Forward Midfielder
Youth career
1988–1989	Signal Hill Comprehensive School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1989–1998	Aston Villa	232	(73)
1998–2002	Manchester United	95	(47)
2002–2004	Blackburn Rovers	60	(12)
2004–2005	Birmingham City	13	(2)
2005–2006	Sydney FC	21	(7)
2006–2009	Sunderland	58	(6)
2009–2010	Tobago United
Total		479	(147)
National team‡
1989–2009	Trinidad and Tobago	72	(19)
Teams managed
2009–2010	Trinidad and Tobago(assistant)
2010–2011	Tobago United(First Team Coach)
2011–	Manchester United Reserves(assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10:08, 1 January 2009 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:54, 13 August 2009 (UTC)

Dwight Eversley Yorke (born 3 November 1971 in Canaan, Tobago) is a Trinidad and Tobago former football player and assistant coach of the Manchester United reserve side.^[1] He played for Aston Villa, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland. He was the assistant manager of the Trinidad and Tobago national team until the completion of the qualifying matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Along with Russell Latapy and Pat Jennings, Yorke holds the record number of participations in different World Cup competitions, including qualifying stages – six in total (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010).^[2] Yorke was nicknamed The Smiling Assassin^[3][4] because of his goal scoring abilities and his constant smile.

Club career[link]

Aston Villa[link]

Yorke was first discovered by Graham Taylor, at the time the Aston Villa manager, on a tour of the West Indies in 1989. Yorke appeared in a team that played a friendly match against Aston Villa, Taylor was impressed and offered Yorke a trial at Villa. Yorke was subsequently given a permanent contract and he made his First Division debut for Aston Villa against Crystal Palace on 24 March 1990: Crystal Palace won the game 1–0. During his time with Aston Villa, from 1989 to 1998, Yorke played initially as a right winger until the 1995–96 season, he then switched to centre forward and quickly established himself as one of the Premiership's top strikers.

Yorke was an integral member of the Villa team that reached the League Cup Final in 1996. Villa won 3–0 against Leeds United with Yorke getting on the scoresheet. On 30 September 1996 he scored a hat-trick against Newcastle United in a 4–3 defeat. Newcastle were leading 3–1 at half-time and Aston Villa were down to ten men, with Mark Draper being sent off late in the first half. Yorke showed great character in leading his team in a brave fight back by scoring two more goals in the second half to complete his hat-trick, although it was to no avail as Aston Villa still lost the game. Yorke thought he had scored a fourth goal to equalise the game at 4–4, only for it to be ruled offside. It was performances like this that led to interest from Manchester United in August 1998. Yorke appeared for Aston Villa on 231 occasions, scoring 97 times. He also has the distinct honour of being the last ever Villa player to score in front of the old Holte End standing terrace, notching both goals in a 2–1 victory on the final day of the 1993–94 season, 7 May 1994.

The circumstances of his departure from Aston Villa were controversial. John Gregory, Aston Villa manager at that time, made it known that the club did not want to sell Yorke to Manchester United unless they were prepared to exchange Andy Cole, a striker at Manchester United. Yorke then approached Gregory to state that he wanted to leave the club, to which Gregory was famously attributed to saying that he would shoot Yorke if he had had a gun in his office. Yorke played in a match for Villa at Everton early in the season in August 1998, however it appeared he made no effort during the match as he was unhappy at not being allowed to leave the club. Aston Villa were left with no option but to sell the player and he was transferred to Manchester United for £12.6 million in August 1998. Despite spending 9 years at Villa he is disliked by some of its fans for his behaviour at the time he left the club and also because he later joined Birmingham City.

Manchester United[link]

In his first season Yorke was a key player in guiding his club to a unique treble of the Premiership title, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, and forming a legendary partnership with Andy Cole.^[5] Yorke finished the season as the top league goalscorer with 18 goals and contributed goals against Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Internazionale and Juventus in the Champions League. Yorke was also a regular member of United's 1999–2000 title winning team, contributing 22 goals in all competitions.

Despite a less successful third season personally, Yorke did hit a hat-trick in the top of the table clash with Arsenal as United went on to win a third successive title.^[6] Yorke's limited appearances in the 2001–02 season led to rumours that he'd fallen out with United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, following his much publicised relationship with British model Jordan. After a January move to Middlesbrough fell through^[7] Yorke was sold to Blackburn Rovers for £2 million during the close-season. Altogether he scored 64 goals for Manchester United in 188 appearances.

Blackburn Rovers[link]

Yorke spent two years at Blackburn Rovers, where he rejoined his old United strike partner, Andy Cole, he managed 13 goals in his first year at Blackburn helping them finish 6th and qualify for the UEFA cup, the following season he was in and out of the team and fell out with manager Graeme Souness. It was rumoured that Souness accused him of not trying hard enough, and during a six-a-side match the pair once exchanged a few tough tackles. Subsequently he joined Birmingham City in 2004 on a free transfer.

Birmingham City[link]

Yorke started his Birmingham career well with a goal on his home debut against Charlton^[8] which went a long way in winning over skeptical fans owing to his lengthy association in the past with city rivals Aston Villa. He scored again against Newcastle in October.^[9] However, Yorke ended up spending most of the remainder of his time at the club on the bench and was eventually released by Steve Bruce and was snapped up by Australian A-League team Sydney FC.

Sydney FC[link]

Yorke during his time with Sydney F.C.

By signing for Sydney FC, Yorke opted to continue his career in Australia for less money than might have been available in some other leagues, notably those in the Middle East. Qatar's football league were most interested, but Yorke opted for the Australian club for a salary of $1 million a season. He scored the first goal for Sydney FC in its first A-League regular season match, a diving header against the Melbourne Victory. Yorke came to Sydney FC with the biggest pedigree of all players in the A-League, having won the treble with Manchester United. Yorke scored 7 goals in the A-League, with three of them being from penalty kicks. Sydney FC coach Pierre Littbarski moved Yorke into a midfield role and gave him the team captaincy.

He played a major role in leading Sydney FC to victory in the inaugural A-League Grand Final on 5 March against regional rivals Central Coast Mariners. He set up the only goal, scored by Steve Corica, in front of a sell out crowd of over 41,000 at Aussie Stadium, and was awarded the Joe Marston Medal as best player in the grand final. Yorke was the marquee player for Sydney FC – meaning that his salary fell outside the salary cap. He was also a star name for the A-League as a whole. Aside from his footballing talents, the drawing power and credibility he brought both locally and internationally proved to be beneficial for the competition in its inaugural season, leading the FFA to use his image and name for the promotion of the A-League's second season.

In June 2006, Yorke trained with Manchester United in a bid to keep a high level of fitness prior to the 2006 World Cup, although he was at that time contracted to Sydney FC. This was because the Australian season had already ended and pre-season training had not yet commenced. He returned to Sydney FC to take part in a friendly against Everton in 2010. The game was considered his 'farewell game' as he never had the chance to say a proper farewell to the fans at Sydney FC. Everton won the match 1–0, and Yorke was substituted mid-way through the second half.^[10]

Sunderland[link]

On 31 August 2006, Yorke's transfer to Sunderland was announced.^[11] The transfer for a fee of £200,000 (A$ $500,000) re-united Yorke with ex-teammate Roy Keane, then manager of Sunderland. Yorke made his debut in the home match against Leicester City and received a rapturous standing ovation from home fans when he came on as a substitute in the first half. Yorke was used as a defensive midfielder rather than his usual striker role.^[12] He scored his first goal for Sunderland in the 2–1 loss against Stoke and was accepted by the people of Sunderland, switching on the city's Christmas lights in 2006. He was handed the number 19 shirt at Sunderland, the number which he wore at Manchester United and Sydney.

On 2 January 2008, during Sunderland's 1–0 defeat to Blackburn, Yorke was given a red card by referee Rob Styles. Yorke stated several times he would like to return to the A-League, preferably Sydney FC. However, following Sydney FC's signings at the time it seemed unlikely that Sydney would have been able to fit him under the salary cap. It was reported that Yorke play for rivals Central Coast Mariners, the team bankrolled by the man who brought him to Sydney, Peter Turnbull.^[13]

On 11 March 2008, it was announced that the Mariners were in "advanced negotiations" with Yorke to become the marquee for two years.^[14] However on 1 July 2008 Yorke signed a new one-year contract to stay with Sunderland for the 2008–09 season.^[15] He demonstrated that he can still perform at the highest level with a man of the match performance^[16] against Arsenal on 4 October 2008, a game which Sunderland drew 1–1 at home. Following Roy Keane's departure from the post of Sunderland manager in December 2008, Yorke and Neil Bailey were named as assistants to Ricky Sbragia.^[17] Yorke was released at the end of the 2008–09 season.^[18]

Post-retirement[link]

Yorke has completed his Level B coaching badge and is interested in pursuing a career in coaching. On 17 April 2011 he completed the London Marathon in a time of 3 hours and 32 minutes.^[19] On 14 August 2011, the Canaan-born football star signed a two-year deal to work for Sky Sports as a commentator.^[20] Yorke is set to become the assistant coach for the Manchester United reserves team.

International career[link]

Yorke was capped 72 official times for the Trinidad and Tobago national team, scoring 26 goals, but has played over 100 matches for T&T that were not recognised as international friendlies. Along with his friend Russell Latapy, Yorke was a member of the 1989 'Strike Squad', the national team which narrowly failed to qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. He retired from international football in 2001 after a disagreement with the side's coach; however he returned to the team for the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign, in which the team qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time in their history after a 2–1 aggregate qualifying victory over Bahrain.

Yorke was captain for all of Trinidad and Tobago's games at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was Man of the Match in the 0–0 draw against Sweden, pipping his close friend Shaka Hislop to the honour despite the then West Ham goalkeeper making several world-class saves. He was one of six players in the Trinidad squad (the others being Brent Sancho, Dennis Lawrence, Chris Birchall, Carlos Edwards and Stern John) to have played every minute of the campaign. Yorke was rated the best defensive midfielder in the opening stages of the World Cup.^[21]

Yorke announced his retirement from international football in March 2007, choosing to focus on his club career at Sunderland.^[22] He captained the side in Germany, and up until his retirement. However, he made a guest return appearance for a friendly against England in June 2008 after being invited by FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.^[23] On 10 July 2008, the TTFF announced Yorke's return to the national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.^[24]

On 15 October 2008, he scored his first international goal after returning from retirement against the United States in a 2010 World Cup Qualification match. The game ended 2–1 for Trinidad and Tobago. His goal was a crucial tie-breaker scored in the 79th minute, which put Trinidad and Tobago in a great situation to advance to the next qualifying stage, needing only a tie against Cuba in their final game. On 11 February 2009, Yorke scored a 26th minute penalty for his country, but was sent off in the dying seconds of Trinidad and Tobago's opening match of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – CONCACAF Fourth Round against El Salvador (2:2) after exchanging heated remarks with Mexican referee Marco Antonio Rodríguez (the Trini star had voiced his disapproval of the disruptions caused by the home crowd) and was consequently banned for 4 games due to his use of abusive language. The suspension was later reduced to 2 matches.^[25]

After being released from Sunderland and being unable to find a club before the end of the current transfer window, Yorke retired from football altogether in September 2009, and took up the post of assistant manager with the Trinidad and Tobago national team.^[26]

Personal life[link]

Yorke has a acquired a notorious reputation in the British press for being a serial womanizer.^[27][28] While at Manchester United he secretly videoed a drink-fuelled sex romp involving himself, the then Villa keeper Mark Bosnich and four girls at Bosnich's luxury house in Sutton Coldfield.^[28] Yorke has dated many glamour models and was once in a brief relationship with the British Page Three model Jordan, and has a son with her named Harvey who is blind and has autism.^[29] Yorke disputed paternity until Jordan's claims were proven by a DNA test.^[30] He also reportedly dated David Hasselhoff's current girlfriend Hayley for four months prior to her meeting Hasselhoff in 2011.^[31]

The Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, Tobago, constructed for the 2001 U-17 World Cup, was named in Yorke's honour. Yorke is a cricket fan. One of Yorke's closest friends is fellow countryman Brian Lara. During the 1999 Cricket World Cup, Yorke made regular appearances bringing on drinks for the West Indies cricket team. Yorke's older brother, Clint Yorke, is a former first class cricketer who has represented Trinidad and Tobago as an opening batsman.^[32]

Yorke featured extensively in an episode of Australia's The Biggest Loser TV show, which aired 28 February 2006. The episode involved Yorke coaching the "red team" of contestants while they competed against the "blue team" in a game of football. Mark Rudan, Yorke's Sydney FC team-mate, was the manager of the "blue team". For his contribution to the national team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup he was made a Sports Ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago. He released his autobiography in 2009 titled, "Born To Score".^[33]

Career statistics[link]