Interviews and Articles 2003 

September - December

 

27th December 2003

Jonathan appeared on 'Stars in their Eyes' as Neil Diamond on Saturday 27th December, which he won, and got really good comments from both the public and the media.

26th December 2003

There is an article on Jonathan at the daily record website, along with quotes from him about his busy year.

26th December 2003

Click here to read Jonathans 'King of TV' article!

19th December 2003

You can find a review of Grease on the Manchester Online website.

November 2003

To read an article on Jonathans new presenting venture ('Love on a Saturday Night'), click here or you can read it below:

Davina McCall and Jonathan Wilkes are to play cupid as hosts of ITV1's new Saturday night dating show. The pair will rove around the UK hoping to get couples together in the show, Love On A Saturday Night. The new programme will replace Blind Date which was axed earlier this year. Presenter Cilla Black quit live on air and programme bosses decided not to continue with the show which had lost viewers since its days as must-see TV. McCall - who recently became a mother for the second time - said: "I am absolutely obsessed with match-making, I drive all my mates nuts constantly setting them up on blind dates. To be perfectly honest I haven't had a wedding yet, but I live in hope and maybe I'll get lucky on the show. To be able to match make every Saturday night is a dream come true. I'll have to get some of my single friends on the show, starting with Rachel; 24, gorgeous, enjoys outdoor pursuits - and indoor ones. And would make a wonderful girlfriend. Any offers?" McCall will be based in the London studios for the live programme .

Programme makers say it is "for all those who are looking for love, and those who don't even know love is coming their way". Wilkes said: "Love really will be all around for me. I'm going to be out and about in a different place every week surprising singles to fix them up on a date. If you're single and looking for love I might well end up knocking on your door."

29th October 2003

Jonathan is in 'TV Choice' magazine this week. You can read the article below. The pictures from the article are in the 'pictures' section:

'Jonathan Wilkes takes over from Lisa Riley as host of 'You've Been Framed!' on ITV1 this week, and it's not the only change in store for viewers.

The hit clip show has been given a makeover and, while punters will still make fools of themselves on screen, Jonathan will sing and perform short comedy sketches as well.

He'll also name and frame viewers who fake funny clips, and even give away holidays. "When they asked me I thought, lets do it my way and use my singing talents", says Jonathan, 25. "The clips are still the main thing but it has turned into a mini vairety show. I'll be doing a tune of two."

This is Jonathans big TV break after starring in musicals such as Grease, Godspell, and The Rocky Horror Show. His single 'Just Another Day' got to number 24 in the charts in March 2001, but he shunned pop stardom after becoming a 'record company robot'. "I was a crap pop star", says Jonathan. " I used to get up on stage and mime and i thought, this isn't me. For the first time in my life, I feel really comfortable. I get such a buzz from people enjoying themselves as a result of my performance."

Up until now Jonathan has been known as Robbie Williams mate first, and a performer second. That could change if 'You've Been Framed!' retains its primetime audience.

Although Jonathan is devoted to his famous friend, he admits the 'best buddy' tag can be a pain at times. "Early in my career it was a hinderance, but he is my best mate and there's nothing more I can say on the matter."

Jonathans big break came when he won the Cameron Macintosh Young Entertainer of the Year Award in 1996 and starred in his own show 'Jonathan and the Space Girls', in Blackpool for 3 seasons.

Away from showbiz, he and fiancee Nikki Wheeler plan to marry next year and hope to start a family soon. "I've got the broodiest fiancee in the world and I'm really looking forward to having a family too" says jonathan.

28th October 2003

The article below was taken from this weeks 'Inside Soap' magazine:

  

24th September 2003

An article from Darlington can be read below, or you can read it on the website if you click here.

THE show where ten per cent of the audience cross-dresses to kill celebrates 30 years of raunchy rock opera in seat-shaking style.

Despite a half-hour delay for adjusting the technical wizardry, the fans hitched up their fishnets in fine style to welcome Kevin Kennedy, fresh from his Coronation Street exit as Curly Watts, as the latest narrator.

Kennedy's job of revealing all about teenage innocents Brad (Jon Boydon) and Janet (Katie Rowley-Jones) falling under the evil influence of sex-mad scientist Frank N Furter (Jonathan Wilkes) was helped by his popular soap role.

Even so, the traditional insults flew from the on-lookers and Kennedy's finest hour was the riposte: "Hasn't your mother told you 'Don't drink on an empty head'."

And the actor doesn't bat a false eyelash about joining the pelvic-thrusting stockings and suspenders finale.

The simulated silhouetted sex scenes are now so explicit that you'd worry about taking anyone under 14 and you'd definitely leave granny at home. Big-built Wilkes, who has a voice to match, is a joy, while Graham Tudor - who is fondly remembered at Darlington as an angelic Joseph - hasn't got a inch of flab on show around some very skimpy trunks as Rocky. There's really no reason why the time-warp can't last another ten years.

Viv Hardwick

19th September 2003

There is an article from Darlington at the site below:

Article from IC Teeside

8th September 2003

The following websites have articles/interviews with Jonathan on, relating to the Woking performances second time round:

Chobham-Online Article

IC Berkshire Article

Hounslow Guardian Article

September 2003

Jonathan was interviewed on 'This Morning' by Fearne Britton and Phillip Schofield. You can read this below.

The Rocky Horror Show
Jonathan is currently starring as the famous Dr. Frank N Furter in the 30th anniversary tour of The Rocky Horror Show. The musical tells the story of newly-weds Brad and Janet, who get stuck in the middle of nowhere and end up in Frank's lab, where all kind of weird stuff goes on.
Jonathan says: 'I'm a massive fan of the film. I think I watch it about four or five times a year and I'm a big fan of Tim Curry doing the part. When I was growing up, I always thought that I'd love to play that part, I don't know why. I used to run about singing Sweet Transvestite. So I'm over the moon to be doing it. At first I was paranoid about the costume, but now I feel indestructible in it. The first time I put the stiletto's on I fell over and broke them. In heels I am 6ft5!!!'

Grease
Jonathan will be playing Danny Zuko in Grease in Manchester - his Sandy will be Pop Idol's Hayley Everts. The show is due to be staged in Manchester at the Palace Theatre from December 17th 2003 - January 17th 2004. Tickets are on sale now.
Jonathan says: 'It's every boys dream to be Danny as it is every girl's to be Sandy. So I'm really looking forward to it. After Grease, I think i've done every big musical you could wish to do.'

You've Been Framed
Jonathan recently signed a contract to take over from Lisa Riley as the new presenter of You've Been Framed on ITV1. Apparently there are a few changes to the new series...the sofa doesn't really feature much in the new series. But more worrying is the introduction of a co-host - a sock puppet snake complete with a squeaky voice!

Jonathan's Personal Life
Jonathan is well known for being Robbie Williams' best mate. They met when Jonathan was four and Robbie eight through their mums who knew each other from the local operatic group. When Jonathan moved to London, he became Robbie's flatmate in Notting HIll. When Robbie made his bid to conquer the American market, he took Jonathan with him. Their matching tattoos, the numbers 10 23 for Robbie, and 18 23 for Jonathan stand for letters of one another's initials in the alphabet...JW and RW. Their has been speculation in the press that the boys are gay, but they both insist it is just a friendship. Jonathan has been dating his girlfiend Nikki for four years, who is a dancer and danced on Robbie's recent tour. The couple are planning on getting married.