Olly Alexander | |
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![]() Alexander in 2024 | |
Born | Oliver Alexander Thornton 15 July 1990 Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England |
Alma mater | Hereford College of Arts |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2008–present |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Labels | |
Formerly of | Years & Years |
Website | ollyalexander |
Oliver Alexander Thornton (born 15 July 1990),[1] known professionally as Olly Alexander, is an English singer, actor and LGBT activist.[2]
He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the pop band Years & Years, who achieved two number-one albums on the UK Albums Chart, a number-one single and five top-ten entries on the UK Singles Chart.[3] Between 2021 and 2023, he continued to release music under the name until their dissolution in 2024.[4]
As an actor, he rose to critical acclaim for his performance as Ritchie Tozer in the Channel 4 drama series It's a Sin (2021), earning Best Actor nominations at the British Academy Television Awards, Critics' Choice Television Awards and Independent Spirit Awards. Alexander represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, with his song "Dizzy", which marked his first release under his own name; in the grand final, he finished in 18th place with 46 points.[5][6]