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Who is Jools Holland?

JOOLS Holland is a well-known face on TV and in the music industry.

In February 2022 the piano man talked for the first time about having cancer.

 Jools Holland is a singer and TV star
Jools Holland is a singer and TV starCredit: Rex Features

Who is Jools Holland?

Julian Miles "Jools" Holland, OBE, DL, 63, was born on January 24, 1958.

He is an English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer and television presenter.

He was an original member of the band Squeeze but left the band in 1981.

He has worked with artists including Sting, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, George Harrison, David Gilmour, Magazine and Bono.

Jools has a touring band, the Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, which includes singers Louise Marshall and Ruby Turner and his younger brother, singer-songwriter and keyboard player, Christopher Holland.

The talented musician was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014.

In 2022 he urged others to know the signs of cancer to save lives.

What's the Annual Hootenanny?

Hootenanny is an annual show presented by Jools and broadcast on New Year's Eve as an end of year special of his television series Later... with Jools Holland.

It is generally broadcast between 11pm on December 31 and around 1am the following morning on BBC Two.

The pre-recorded show features a Hogmanay party atmosphere with star guests.

What other TV shows has Jools Holland been on?

Jools started his TV career in the 80s when he fronted The Tube with the late Paula Yates.

Since 1992, he has hosted Later... with Jools Holland on BBC2.

He was also part of Chris Evans' 1994 show, Don't Forget Your Toothbrush.

Who is Jools Holland married to?

In August 2005, Jools married his girlfriend of 15 years, Christabel McEwen, who is the daughter of artist Rory McEwen.

They live in Blackheath, London, together.

The couple also owns a house built in the medieval ruins of Cooling Castle in Kent.

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