Who is Jonathan Wilkes? Soccer Aid founder, singer, panto star and Robbie Williams’ best friend
JONATHAN Wilkes is best known for being Robbie Williams' BFF.
But what else does he do and what's his P&O Cruises show about? We've got the lowdown ahead of Soccer Aid 2019.
Who is Jonathan Wilkes?
Jonathan Wilkes was born on August 1, 1978, which makes him currently 39 years old.
He grew up in Stoke on Trent with his older sister, Kay.
A talented footballer, he signed for Port Vale FC at the age of seven and went on to play for Everton as a teenager.
He was eventually dropped from the team due to, as he says, his unwillingness to "eat, sleep and breathe football".
Jonathan married his Nikki Wheeler in 2004 and they have a son named Mickey.
They met when the girl band she was in, T. Les Files appeared on a pop programme he was presenting.
The couple were together for two years before Jonathan proposed and they tied the knot 18 months later.
How did Jonny Wilkes meet Robbie Williams and how is he involved in Soccer Aid?
Jonny and Robbie met as youngsters in Packmoor, Stoke On Trent.
Even though they went to different schools as Robbie is slightly older, they became firm friends, bonded by a shared a sense of humour.
The pals have been inseparable ever since, with Jonny even getting married at Robbie's LA mansion with Robbie of course performing best man duties.
Jonny has appeared on stage with Robbie, and Robbie, in turn, has supported Jonny's career, attending his shows and premieres.
The football-mad pair founded the bi-annual charity event Soccer Aid in 2006.
Unfortunately, Jonny wasn't able to play in the 2018 match - but he cheered his mate on from the sidelines.
Usain Bolt, former Towie star Mark Wright, The Body Coach Joe Wicks, Westlife's Nicky Byrne and Brazilian footballing legend Roberto Carlos are among those on the time sheet for this Sunday's (June 16) tournament which kicks off on ITV at 7.30pm.
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How did Jonathan get into panto and what is his P&O cruises show about?
Jonathan is a talented singer and performer and he toured in a musical production of Godspell.
He moved into television presenting, working alongside Davina McCall in the gameshow Love on a Saturday night.
He also fronted You've Been Framed and has hosted the NTA Party of the Year as well as several shows on BBC Choice.
Jonathan has released an album of his own and also duetted with Robbie on Swing When You're Winning.
Jonny has always loved being on stage and he has starred in productions of the Rocky Horror Show, Greasemania and Tommy.
He moved into panto with Mother Goose in 2005 and hasn't looked back. He has been a regular at the Regent Theatre in Stoke for 12 years and will appear in Robin Hood in 2018.
The talented star has teamed up with presenter Stephen Mulhern in a new entertainment partnership with P&O Cruises.
They have created a spectacular show called Astonishing which showcases dance, music, magic and illusion.