Quick Facts
Biography
Anthony Michael "Tony" Mortimer (born 21 October 1970 in Stepney, London) is an English singer, rapper, songwriter and composer. He is best known as a member of the boy band East 17, who were originally active from 1991 to 1997 and sold over 20 million records worldwide. Mortimer is also the writer of the band's only number-one single, "Stay Another Day".
Career
Mortimer was a member of the 1990s boy band East 17, with whom he had seven UK Top 10 singles and four hit albums between 1992 and 1997. He turned to songwriting when the group disbanded in 1997, in the wake of fellow member Brian Harvey's controversial comments about ecstasy. In 1998, Mortimer's East 17 bandmates briefly reformed the group without him, and released two singles as E17. They disbanded again the following year.
In 2010, East 17 reformed as a three piece (minus former lead singer, Brian Harvey) and were seeking a new lead singer, a position filled in 2011 by Blair Dreelan. They released the single "Secret of My Life" from the projected album Recharged but Dreelan left the band due to a contractual obligation not to contribute to East 17, while he was still connected with his previous musical group. The band scrapped the album and in 2012 released the newly recorded, Dark Light, with Mortimer in place as the lead vocalist. The group toured Europe throughout 2011 and in early 2012. In June 2012 they returned to Australia for the first time in over 15 years. Two singles were released from Dark Light; "I Can't Get You Off my Mind" and "Friday Night", whilst a third single, "Counting Clouds", was due for release in July 2012.
Mortimer has continued as a record producer since 1997, from his studio in Essex, as well as recording his own songs including the single "N Toxyc 8".
Mortimer has also managed bands, including girl group Urban Angel, whose members included Roxanne Pallett, who wrote some of the group's songs. The band broke up after Pallett won a role in ITV soap opera Emmerdale.
Mortimer appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks in Season 19 on Episode 3. He competed in the BBC's Winter Wipeout series in March 2012 and finished second, ahead of former Coronation Street star Steven Arnold, but behind the winner Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards.
In December 2012, Mortimer appeared as a panellist on Channel 5 show The Wright Stuff and again in June 2013.
17 June 2013 he released his debut solo album Songs from the Suitcase.
In early 2014, Mortimer departed from East 17 to focus more on his solo career.
Personal life
Mortimer has two daughters with his partner Tracey: Atlanta (b. ca. 1993) and Ocean (b. ca. 1995). The award-winning lyrics of his song, "Stay Another Day", were inspired by the death of his brother, Ollie, by suicide.
Awards
- Ivor Novello Award – "Stay Another Day"
Discography
Albums
- Songs From The Suitcase (2013)
Singles
- N Toxyc 8 (2006)
- We Will Stand (With Fighters Forever) (2010)
- Shake It Down (2013)
- Rain In England (With Julian Lennon) (2013)
- Stay Another Day (2013)