May 29

Adam Rickitt

Adam Peter Rickitt (born 29 May 1978) is an English actor, singer and model. He is most well known for playing Nick Tilsley in the soap opera Coronation Street from 1997–99, between 2002-04. He now works as a charity fundraiser.

Prior to his acting career, Rickitt had briefly been a child model. He subsequently has modelled for numerous UK magazines such as Attitude and Cosmopolitan.

Rickitt starred as Mark Cohen in the national UK tour of the musical Rent, before moving to London's West End. He made a return to the London stage to star in Bill Kenwright's production Office Games, followed by a new play, Final Judgement, and also appeared in Nick Moran's play Telstar on UK Tour. In December 2006, Rickitt appeared in his first pantomime, Cinderella, in the role of Prince Charming at the Norwich Theatre Royal.

Rickitt originally left Coronation Street in 1999 to start a music career. He signed a six-album deal with Polydor, although he only released one album - Good Times - in 1999. Rickitt's first single, "I Breathe Again", reached no.5 in the UK and was certified Silver by the BPI, but follow up singles "Everything My Heart Desires", and "Best Thing" were less successful, reaching no.15 and no.25 respectively. The album was also a commercial failure, peaking at no.41 and dropping out of the chart after only one week. Rickitt was then dropped by his record label, and he abandoned his career in pop music. In 1999, at a performance at The Prince's Trust Party in the Park, a member of the audience sprayed gas onto the stage when Rickitt was performing. Rickitt fainted after inhaling the substance and was taken to hospital.

In 2010, Rickitt made an appearance at London's G-A-Y club and announced that he was working on a new album. The first single from it, "Tonight", failed to chart.

Although he claims he is not gay, Rickitt has actively courted gay audiences throughout his career, appearing regularly at gay venues, the BBC series Gaytime TV and in a photoshoot for gay lifestyle magazine Attitude, as well as children's television and mainstream pop festivals. During his 2010 comeback attempt, his stage appearances were almost all at gay venues and events.