Kevin Ian Simm (born 5 September 1980) is an English singer and songwriter. He was a member of Liberty X from 2001 to 2007. Simm also won The Voice UK in 2016.
Career 2001–2007: Liberty X In 2001, Simm auditioned for the ITV reality television music competition Popstars, a show intended to form a new group from individual contestants, becoming one of the finalists. While the five winning contestants formed Hear'Say, the five runner-up contestants – Simm, Tony Lundon, Jessica Taylor, Kelli Young and Michelle Heaton – formed the group Liberty X and signed a multimillion-pound record contract with Richard Branson and V2 Records. Liberty X released three studio albums and enjoyed seven Top 10 singles from 2001 to 2005: Their biggest hit, "Just a Little", reached number one in May 2002; "Thinking It Over", "Got to Have Your Love", "Song 4 Lovers", and "Holding on for You" all reached the top 5 in the UK Singles Chart. They split up in 2007 after selling over 3 million records worldwide.
During this time, Simm appeared on The Games, in 2005, winning a silver medal.
2008–2015: Brand New and Liberty X return In 2007 Simm signed with the independent label Jamdown Records and started recording his first solo work. On 3 October 2008 he released his debut studio album, Brand New, first only in Japan and two years later in Europe. The title song was released as the lead single and had a music video directed by Fatty Soprano. From 2009 to 2012 Simm performed live at festivals and pubs.
In 2013 Simm reunited with Liberty X for ITV2's reality show The Big Reunion, along with other pop groups of their time – B*Witched, Honeyz, 911, Five and Atomic Kitten – to solve past problems and do a live performance at the London Hammersmith Apollo on 26 February. Due to the success, Liberty X returned for a full tour between 2013 and 2014.
2016–2017: The Voice UK and Recover In 2016, Simm auditioned for the fifth series of The Voice UK singing a soulful version of Sia's "Chandelier". All four coaches – will.i.am, Ricky Wilson, Boy George and Paloma Faith – turned their chairs for him and he chose to join Faith's team. Simm lost against Faith Nelson in the battle rounds and was nearly eliminated from the competition, but was stolen by Wilson, joining his team for the knockout rounds. He won the season of The Voice UK on 9 April.
+Performances Performed Song Original artist Result Blind Audition "Chandelier" Sia All judges turned and joined team Paloma Battle Rounds "Spotlight" (against Faith Nelson) Jennifer Hudson Lost, joined team Ricky Knockout rounds "Wings" Birdy Fast pass Quarter-final "I'm Kissing You" Des'ree Fast passSemi-final "The Power of Love" (as part of Team Ricky) Huey Lewis and the News Safe "Rolling in the Deep" AdeleLive final "Stay" Rihanna Winner "Mr. Brightside" (with Ricky Wilson) The Killers "All You Good Friends" Original song
In the same month, Simm signed with Universal and released his new single as The Voice winner, "All You Good Friends"; the song peaked at number 24 in the UK and 3 in Scotland. On 28 October 2016 it was released his second studio album, Recover, the first by Universal, and chosen "Wildfire" as single.
2018–present: Wet Wet Wet On 25 September 2018, it was announced that Simm would join Scottish band Wet Wet Wet as the new lead singer, replacing original member Marti Pellow. He debuted with the band in November of that year. On 5 November 2021 they released their first album with Simm as vocalist, The Journey, peaking at number 29 in UK.
Personal life Simm married Laura Simm in June 2008 after 7 years of dating. They have two children: Charlie, born in October 2011, and Oliver, born in November 2013.
Discography Studio albums Title Details Peak chart positions UK Brand New Released: 3 October 2008 Label: Jamdown — Recover Released: 28 October 2016 Label: Universal Format: CD, digital download 114
EPs Title Details Love & Pain Released: 3 November 2017 Label: Tristar Records Unplugged Acoustic Released: 12 October 2018 Label: Tristar Records Format: Digital download Snow & Flakes Released: 15 November 2019 Label: Tristar Records Format: Digital download
Singles As main artist + List of singles, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions Album UK SCO "Brand New" 2008 — — Brand New 2016 24 3 "Wildfire" — — Recover "Strangers" — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
As featured artist Title Year Album "Tennessee Whiskey" 2020 rowspan="3" "Stay Another Day" "Freedom" 2022
Songwriting credits Title Year Artist "U" 2006
Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 1999 Stars in Their Eyes Contestant Series 10 2001 Popstars Contestant Series 1 2005 The Games Contestant Series 3 2013 The Big Reunion Himself 2016 The Voice UK Contestant Series 5
References
External links Official website Kevin Simm – Brand New | Amazon Japan Kevin Simm – Brand New | HMV Japan JamDown Music Kevin Simm Interview