In 2019, Siobhan Phillips wowed millions on Britain’s Got Talent, but this was just the latest chapter on a career that has seen it all
Did you grow up in Yorkshire? How do you look back on your childhood?
I was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, which is where I went to school, St Joseph’s Batley Carr followed by St John Fisher RC high school. Unfortunately, Dewsbury has had some bad press in recent years, but I remember it as a friendly, close-knit community growing up. My maternal grandparents lived a little way up the road from us, and my other grandparents would also visit every weekend, so I was lucky to have such a nurturing environment to grow up in.
Were you a musical child, or when did you discover a talent for singing?
I have always loved music, but I was unbelievably shy as a child. We didn’t have much money so when I begged my Mum for piano lessons aged 8, she was obviously hesitant and didn’t want it to just be a passing whim. We managed to find a free piano in the local paper. It was beautiful and I remember being so excited when it appeared in our front room. Mum said that if I was still showing interest in a year’s time then I could have the lessons. Over that year I found I had a talent for listening to songs I loved and being able to play them by ear. My enthusiasm never wavered and eventually I started my lessons. I can read music and I did my theory exams alongside the practical ones, but I still feel that year of experimenting and playing by ear gave me more than any formal training ever did.
What inspired you to hit the road at 16, and was it a big decision for you?
All I ever wanted to be was a performer. I would look in the paper for all the local talent competitions and when I was 16 I entered one at The Frontier (formerly Batley Variety club which had hosted stars such as Shirley Bassey, Roy Orbison, Dusty Springfield to name but a few). I won all my heats, then the final. I remember I sang ‘Alone’ by Heart, and I still love that song to this day. Using the prize money I bought a sound system and an agent from Leeds approached me and got me my first gigs in pubs and clubs locally. I was in the sixth form doing my A levels at the time and I remember my Mum was worried I would neglect my work in favour of fame chasing! My Dad used to drive me to the gigs, some of which were in quite rough areas and looking back if my own daughter was to announce she was doing the same at that age I would freak out!
What kind of singing did you do at this time?
At that time I loved pop music so I would do covers of Whitney, Mariah, Shirley Bassey – big voices, dramatic songs, full of angst and emotion.
Were there plenty of memorable gigs? Can you pick out a couple for any reason?
There were plenty of memorable gigs but for the wrong reasons! I had a bad habit of shutting my eyes whilst singing back then. Once I was warbling away, eyes shut tight, when the crowd started shouting. I took this as their appreciation of my key change! Turned out when I opened my eyes, two fellas were chucking bar stools at each other! I kept my eyes wide open from that night onwards.
My first ever cruise ship gig was also memorable. I was terribly sea sick, but the show must go on as they say. So I battled through, singing was no problem but the minute I spoke I would feel so ill and ended up having to puke into a waste paper basket the cruise director left at the side of the stage for me! Luckily I conquered it and ended up being a guest entertainer for ten years, flying from ship to ship, visiting everywhere from Antarctica to Australia and loving every minute.
When did the comedy side of your performance first come in?
Early on in my career I noticed that having a great voice wasn’t enough to keep audiences interested. You can have the best voice in the world, but if you don’t engage with people and make them feel part of something then they soon drift away. In my club days I worked with lots of comics. I was in awe of their confidence and the power they had over the crowd who wouldn’t even dare to venture to the loo in case they were singled out! Being able to make people laugh and forget their troubles for a while seemed like such a gift.
Was it accidental, or did you always have comic timing?
It wasn’t until I did a support spot for the wonderful, late Ken Dodd that I realised I might be funny. I was 23 and it was a Royal Variety charity bash in Liverpool. He watched me intently and he said I had a wonderful voice. But more than that he said “young lady, you have a natural comedic ability and the best thing is you don’t even realise it”!
I now understand what he meant. I never try to be funny, I tend to work off the cuff and it seems to just appeal to people. There’s no pretence. I try to stay authentic and true to myself. It’s me up there on the stage, albeit a more ramped up, manic version!
What do you remember about Operatunity back in 2003?
Operatunity came about after I was asked by Bradford City football club to sing the American national anthem in honour of the 9/11 victims. I sang on the pitch to a packed stadium. Afterwards, the chairman was so impressed that he asked if I would consider appearing at every home match and could I possibly learn Nessun Dorma, his favourite aria, for next week’s game. Having never sung opera previously it was quite a challenge. That week I listened to Pavarotti over and over, copying every nuance of his performance, including the phrasing and intonation. Nervous is an understatement as I walked what seemed like miles towards the centre of the pitch that Saturday. At the end there was silence – followed by the biggest cheers, whistles, whoops and shouts I’ve ever heard! One of the journalists there suggested C4 were searching for untrained opera singers to take part in a new documentary. “Trained? I’m not even house-trained” I quipped! I decided to enter and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Never did I think a lass from Dewsbury would be rubbing shoulders with the English national opera glitterati and being told by their conductor that she had one of the most memorable voices he’d ever heard!
Where did this take your career?
Frank Skinner was at the Operatunity final and although I didn’t win, he said I was his favourite and he’d like me to be on his TV show. I ended up singing Nessun Dorma on there and even did a duet with him ‘do you really want to hurt me?’ by Culture Club.
Why did you decide to go on Britain’s Got Talent in 2019?
After having my daughter in 2016 I took some time out to concentrate on being a Mum. It was a very different world to the one I’d been used to and I didn’t want to give up my career all together, so BGT seemed like a good vehicle to showcase my act and remind people I was still alive! Also I was working all over the world before I had her and I wanted to use BGT to secure some work in the UK.
How would you sum up that experience?
When I look back it all seems like a dream and like it happened to someone else. It was like a rollercoaster ride from start to finish! I loved how people related to me and was glad I could sum up their parenting experiences in my songs.
How has your life been since?
Unfortunately, the timing was all wrong. Timing is everything in life. Shortly after my tour started we went into the first lockdown. Things were going so well and I was finally living my dream of people actually buying tickets to come and see me but unfortunately it came to an abrupt end. Talk about luck?! If it was raining soup, I’d have a fork! Things have started to pick up now, but it’s almost like starting again. I had so many lovely gigs lined up after BGT, but they were all cancelled one by one, which was so disappointing. Never mind, I’m a grafter and I’m made of good old Yorkshire grit so as long as I’m here and breathing, I’ll be ok.
How does a typical day for you pan out now?
Pre kids I would lie in til the crack of noon! Nowadays I’m up around 7 to start negotiations with my now six-year-old daughter Cerys. When I say negotiations I really mean I ask her to do things like get dressed, brush her teeth etc, to which she replies NO! Then a whole game of bribery ensues, usually food/YouTube based, until we set off on the school run at 8.30. We have a car disco on the way, then after I’ve dropped her off I come home and take Rosie our chocolate cockapoo on a long walk. Later I answer emails then work on song projects. Since BGT I’ve been asked to write personalised songs for all sorts of occasions – the more info people give me the better. Wedding songs are my favourite as I always get the inside story on the couple and try to make them as funny as possible!
How long have you lived in Wakefield and what do you love about it?
I’ve lived in Wakefield for 20 years now and I love the attitude and sense of humour people have here.
If possible, can you pick out 3 of your favourite places to visit?
It’s easy to take places for granted when you live here. But we are lucky to have so many beautiful places on our doorstep. I love Newmillerdam, it’s so peaceful and a great place for families and dog walks.
The cathedral in Wakefield city centre is well worth a look too. The acoustics are phenomenal.
I also love the Yorkshire Sculpture Park – very cultured us Yorkshire folk tha’ nos’!
Where do you see your career developing from here?
There is so much more to me than what was shown on BGT. I think people need to come and watch my live show to get the full story. I am appearing at Leeds City Varieties on 27 August so book now! I’m also doing some acting and I’ve recently filmed a comedy drama called ‘Tungsten flyers’ which will be out soon.
