On Thursday, fans were stunned when Carrie Grant, known for her role as a judge on Fame Academy, unveiled her bold new hairstyle—a vivid red mullet.
Grant gained recognition as a judge on the British talent competition Fame Academy, which aimed to discover emerging singing sensations.
Despite the high stakes of a £1 million recording contract, the show struggled with ratings and concluded after just two seasons.
More than two decades have passed since Fame Academy went off the air, and many of its contestants have stepped away from the limelight.
Some have shifted their focus from performing to songwriting, with one working alongside Louis Tomlinson on his latest music project. Others have pursued different paths, such as trying their luck on The X Factor or even marrying a well-known cricketer.
Meanwhile one contestant even went on to date Fearne Cotton, later releasing a break up song about the relationship.
So where are the show’s stars now?
Where are the stars of Fame Academy now? From appearing on X Factor to working with Louis Tomlinson and dating Fearne Cotton – as the show’s judge Carrie Grant debuts new look
Fans were left gobsmacked on Thursday after Fame Academy judge Carrie Grant debuted her new look while sporting a striking red mullet this week
David Sneddon won the first series of the show after he began his career performing on TV and in stage musicals in Glasgow
David Sneddon
David Sneddon won the first series of the show after he began his career performing on TV and in stage musicals in Glasgow.
Following his win, the Scottish singer, now 47, released his first single Stop Living The Lie in 2003 which became a UK number one hit and sold over 250,000 copies.
Since the release of his record in 2003 and several more singles, he then moved to work more as a songwriter after signing to Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
Struggling with the challenges of fame, in 2022 he revealed the pressures led to him drinking every single day for six months after his Fame Academy victory – resulting in him getting into ‘several scrapes’.
Now married with two children, he said on Sean McDonald Blethered podcast: ‘I made a really, really conscious decision back then just to disappear. I wanted my anonymity back, I didn’t want to be famous and I have pretty much become a recluse.’
Most recently he worked with Louis Tomlinson on his latest album How Did I Get Here? co-writing three songs with the One Direction star.
He has also worked with the likes of Lana Del Rey, Lewis Capaldi and Olly Murs.
Lemar
The R&B singer shot to prominence on the BBC series in 2002, finishing third behind runner-up Sinead Quinn and winner David Sneddon
The R&B singer shot to prominence on the BBC series in 2002, finishing third behind runner-up Sinead Quinn and winner David Sneddon.
Now 48, he has built a lasting and successful career since his Fame Academy days, releasing seven albums and carving out a distinct place in British R&B.
Among his standout hits are the upbeat anthem 50/50 and the emotional ballad If There’s Any Justice.
Beyond music, Lemar has picked up multiple BRIT and MOBO awards, performed in London’s West End, and explored acting – including a role in the Netflix series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
With such a varied and accomplished career, it’s hard to imagine that Fame Academy was once his final shot at success before he considered stepping away from music altogether for a career in computer programming.
The singer, who was 24 at the time, had already spent eight years trying to break into the industry before his Fame Academy breakthrough.
He even put his pharmacy studies at Cardiff University on hold in the process.
With so much riding on it, the BBC competition became his final shot at success and a chance to ‘make my parents proud’.
He explained: ‘Fame Academy was like the absolute last roll of the dice.
‘I was going back to uni. I think I was gonna do computer programming the second time. I was like, do you know what? Been too long, it’s done.
‘I just literally just threw the dice one more, and it worked.’
After briefly stepping away from music in 2015, Lemar made a comeback with his latest album, Page In My Heart, released in 2023.
However, just a month after its release, he revealed he had developed tinnitus – a condition that causes persistent ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear.
Lemar has also appeared on Dancing on Ice and The Masked Singer US.
Most recently he took to the stage aboard Marella Voyager as part of Marella Cruises’ 30th Birthday Onboard Marella Explorer 2 celebrations in May 2026.
Peter Brame
Another Fame Academy hopeful, sadly Peter came tenth on the show, however he stayed in the public eye after he started dating Fearne Cotton after his time on the show
Another Fame Academy hopeful, sadly Peter came tenth on the show, however he stayed in the public eye after he started dating Fearne Cotton after his time on the show.
However the pair later split when Fearne dumped him after she grew tired of his party lifestyle.
Peter later released his album My Secret Suicide and penned the song Alcoholic’s Love Song about their break up.
Since his album Peter has disappeared from public life and hasn’t posted on any social media since 2019.
Sinéad Quinn
Runner up on series one of the show, Sinéad quickly snapped up a record deal with her debut single I Can’t Break Down reaching number two in the UK Singles Charts
Runner up on series one of the show, Sinéad quickly snapped up a record deal with her debut single I Can’t Break Down reaching number two in the UK Singles Charts.
Her album, Ready To Run, reached number 48 on the UK Album Charts, and since then Sinéad has regular performed throughout her career.
In 2009 she began performing as part of Sinéad and The Dawnbreakers and now plays corporate and private gigs.
She is also the session leader at the Electric Umbrella Charity which creates live music experiences for those with learning disabilities.
In 2008 she tied the knot with her fiancé Paul Stewart and the pair share three children.
Gary Phelan
Gary Phelan found stardom on Fame Academy where he appeared on series two in 2003 – which was eventually won by Alex Parks (pictured L on the show in 2003)
Gary Phelan found stardom on Fame Academy where he appeared on series two in 2003 – which was eventually won by Alex Parks.
However tragically the singer passed away in August 2024, aged 42, after his friends confirmed his passing on social media.
Gary’s manager Simon Hanning claimed the star had been found in his apartment in Dubai where he had been living, and launched a fundraiser to pay for the costs of returning his body to the UK.
He shared on Facebook: ‘I am so so sad to share the tragic news that my buddy, my friend and artist I managed Gary Phelan was found in his apartment in Dubai at the weekend.’
Simon continued: ‘I am beyond devastated and can’t as yet put into words how this news has left his family and friends feeling.
‘He was loved by so many people, and I am already missing our chats, his sending me his latest song he’d written and the general banter we had.
‘We did some amazing things together, he was everything you would ask of a friend. I’m truly heart broken.’
Gary continued with his music after his stint on Fame Academy, touring the country and writing and recording music.
He recently moved to Dubai where he continued to perform in the pub and bar circuit in the UAE at venues like McCafferty’s Irish Pub.
Carolynne Good
She appeared on Fame Academy in 2003, finishing in third place before reaching the final stages of The X Factor – twice in a row
In 2016 she tied the knot with Yorkshire County Cricket Club player David Willey in an intimate ceremony in Leeds and the two share childrenn Jacob and Maeve
She appeared on Fame Academy in 2003, finishing in third place before reaching the final stages of The X Factor – twice in a row.
In 2011 Carolynne, who was married to footballer David Poole from 2008-2011, made it through to the X Factor judges’ houses stage, but was sent home.
The following year she progressed to the live shows but was sent home in a controversial deadlock that saw Rylan Clark remain in the singing show.
In 2011 Carolynne, who was married to footballer David Poole from 2008-2011, made it through to the X Factor judges’ houses stage, but was sent home.
In 2016 she tied the knot with Yorkshire County Cricket Club player David Willey in an intimate ceremony in Leeds.
The singer said she knew immediately that David was ‘the one’.
She admitted: ‘Meeting David, it was like suddenly the missing piece of me was found.
‘We’d not long been dating and it was my birthday, so he’d taken me out for a meal and bought me some flowers. I remember feeling as if I’d known him forever.’
The wedding reception was held at Wood Hall Hotel and Spa in Wetherby, and guests included Lucy Jo’s husband, Coronation Street star Alan Halsall and former Emmerdale star Natalie Anderson.
The couple now have two children together, Jacob and Maeve.
Her Instagram bio reads: ‘In a past life I wrote & sang country songs.’
James Fox
Hailing from Cardiff, James came fifth in the second series of the show and went on to duet on two tracks from winner Alistair Griffin’s debut album
Hailing from Cardiff, James came fifth in the second series of the show and went on to duet on two tracks from winner Alistair Griffin’s debut album.
Then in 2004, he represented the UK at Eurovision with the song Hold Onto Our Love which reached number 13 on the UK charts.
Finishing with 29 points, we came 16th out of 24 finalists that year, but he later claimed voting had been biased.
Across his singing career he was supported a number of artists including Lulu, Natasha Bedingfield, Will Young and Tina Turner.
In 2007 he released Bluebirds Flying High which became the official Cardiff City Football Club single for the 2008 FA Cup Final.
James has also dabbled in musical theatre, appearing in touring productions of Jesus Christ Superstar as well as the West End production of The Beatles tribute show Let It Be.
Then last year he released his third album Out In The World and recently played at The Bedford in Balham, London.
Alex Parks
Alex was just 18 when he became the winner of the second series after a final showdown against Alistair Griffin
Alex was just 18 when she became the winner of the second series after a final showdown against Alistair Griffin.
Daniel Bedingfield had duetted with both finalists and he urged viewers to ‘vote for Alex’ leading to claims of favoritism from fans and Daniel made a public apology to Alistair.
Alex then won the show and her career took off, with her debut album Introduction going double platinum in the UK.
She released her second album Honestly in 2005, but she was then dropped by her record label in February 2006 and hasn’t released anything since.
Alistair Griffin
Alistair came second to Alex and went on to achieve two top 20 hit singles and a top 20 album in the UK
Alistair came second to Alex and went on to achieve two top 20 hit singles and a top 20 album in the UK.
Reflecting on the show in an interview with York Vision he said he wouldn’t recommend going on a talent show.
‘I would probably say no, but it is hard. People say The X Factor is a quick fix, but they have their own pitfalls. Mass exposure, then it can die away.
‘The next show is only twelve months away. You have to make the most of it, get out of it what you want. To a large extent, you’re at the mercy of the television schedule.’
His third single Just Drive ended up being played as part of the BBC’s Formula One’s montage at the end of the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He also wrote The Road, which became the official song of the 2014 Tour de France which he recorded with Kimberley Walsh of Girls Aloud and has written songs for Cascada and the Games Maker Choir at the 2012 London Olympics.
In February this year, Alistair took to Instagram to tease he is returning to the music scene as he reflected on his road to fame.
He told fans: ‘You might remember me from Fame Academy for my song Just Drive which became the Formula One theme tune.
‘My songs were on the TV and the phone didn’t stop ringing, and then one day it stopped and when the spotlight fades you have to figure out what to do. So I did and this time I’m telling it my way. ‘
Releasing new music the star is also playing two nights of acoustic shows at The Star Inn The City in York.
