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Tom Fletcher
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Key Information
Thomas Michael Fletcher (born 17 July 1985) is an English musician, composer, author and vlogger. He is one of the lead vocalists and rhythm guitarist of British pop rock band McFly, in addition to being the group's founder.
In his 20-year career as a professional songwriter, Fletcher has written 10 UK number one singles and 21 top-ten singles. He is credited as having written songs for One Direction, Busted, the Vamps and 5 Seconds of Summer.
Early life
[edit]Fletcher was born on 17 July 1985, in Harrow, London.[1] He attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London,[2] where, at the age of 13, he met Giovanna Falcone, whom he would later marry in 2012. He has a younger sister, Carrie Hope Fletcher, who is a musical theatre actress.[3] When he was 10 years old, Fletcher starred as the main role in Oliver! at the London Palladium alongside Jim Dale as Fagin. He then went on to do a documentary about HIV for schools and starred in a commercial. In 1995, Fletcher made a small appearance in the video for the Mike + The Mechanics single "Over My Shoulder".[4][5] When Fletcher was a schoolchild, he was schoolmates with Busted bassist Matt Willis.[6] In 1997, he starred as Louis in the BBC Radio 4 drama, A Christmas Card.[7][8]
Musical career
[edit]At a very young age, Fletcher began writing music commercially. He originally auditioned for band Busted,[9] but lost out on the place to Charlie Simpson after the record label Island Records decided the band should be a trio rather than a four-piece; Fletcher states that he was in the band "for about 24 hours."[10] This led to a job with the band's songwriting team, mainly because of the label's intrigue with his writing talents, Fletcher then got to know Busted band member James Bourne, which would then lead to a strong songwriting relationship between the two.[11] He has since stated that it was Bourne who taught him "how to structure a pop hit".[12][13]
McFly
[edit]During the writing project for Busted's second album A Present for Everyone, Fletcher was asked by the record label if he was available to film auditions for a new band, V. It was at this time that he and Danny Jones met for the first time; Jones went to the audition mistaking the band to be a Busted-esque band, rather than the conventional, all-singing, all-dancing, boy band for which they were intended.[14] Impressed with Jones's style, Fletcher invited him to write with him and Bourne. When writing projects for Busted had come to an end, the two began collaborating for their own (as yet unnamed) band, and, eventually, moved into the InterContinental Hotel in London for two months[15] to concentrate on writing together. During this time together Fletcher and Jones wrote most of their first album, Room on the 3rd Floor. Bassist Dougie Poynter and drummer Harry Judd were subsequently recruited via a classified advertisement. Fletcher came up with the idea to name the band after Marty McFly, the main character from his favorite film Back to the Future.[16] McFly then rose to fame after Busted helped launch them by inviting them to be the opening act on their tour in March 2004.[17]
In 2004, McFly made it into the Guinness Book of World Records, beating the Beatles's record for "the youngest band to have a debut album go straight to number one".[18] Fletcher has written the majority of McFly's songs with Jones and Poynter, with occasional contributions by Judd; Bourne has also assisted with songwriting on occasions. As of 15 November 2010, McFly have released five studio albums and two compilation albums. A greatest hits album entitled Memory Lane: The Best of McFly which includes a number of B-sides from earlier albums, original demos of well known tracks as well as three new singles, was released in November 2012. As well as being the founding member of McFly, Fletcher plays rhythm guitar, shares lead vocals with Danny Jones, and sometimes undertakes the role of ukulele player and pianist.[1]
Songwriting
[edit]Fletcher has written or co-written 10 UK number-one singles: "Crashed the Wedding", "Who's David?", and "Thunderbirds" for Busted; and "Five Colours in Her Hair", "Obviously", "All About You," "I'll Be OK", "Please, Please", "Star Girl", and "Transylvania" for McFly. He co-wrote eight of the songs on A Present for Everyone, as well as all but one ("Not Alone", written by Jones) of the tracks on McFly's debut album, Room on the 3rd Floor. He is the primary writer on the majority of tracks on all seven of the band's albums. Of McFly's four members, he has "the most songwriting credits and therefore the most money".[19]
Fletcher wrote "On a Rainbow", the official song of the 2012 Summer Olympics' mascots Wenlock and Mandeville.[20] The song features vocals from him and his sister Carrie Hope Fletcher. He also wrote the song "I Want" for One Direction's debut album Up All Night, and co-wrote (with Dougie Poynter and Danny Jones) "I Would" for their second album Take Me Home and "Don't Forget Where You Belong" for their third album Midnight Memories.[21] He has co-written several songs with James Bourne including "Chills in the Evening", recorded by V. He also co-wrote "High Hopes" along with all four members of the Vamps for their debut album, Meet the Vamps. Fletcher is also credited as having co-written the 5 Seconds of Summer track "Try Hard". The song was originally released on YouTube on 1 June 2013, and in 2014 featured as a B-Side to their hit single "Don't Stop". He also cowrote the song "Own This Town" with the British band Chapter 13 for their Britain's Got Talent semi-final performance.[1]
Children's books
[edit]Fletcher released his first children's book in 2012. Co-written with band-mate Dougie Poynter, The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas sold more than 72,000 copies and became the most popular debut children's book of 2012.[22][23] A follow-up titled The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet was released on 29 August 2013.[1]
Fletcher released his first solo novel, The Christmasaurus, on 6 October 2016, about a young boy called William Trundle who goes on a magical adventure on Christmas Eve. On 6 October 2017, a musical version of the book, entitled The Christmasaurus: Musical Edition, was released.[24] On 21 March 2019, Fletcher released his second novel and released a Lead single from the soundtrack to THE CREAKERS: THE MUSICAL EDITION called "Don't Turn Out The Light" (featuring Chapter 13) from Britain's Got Talent, along with a music video.[25]
Fletcher released The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch in October 2019, a sequel to his first solo novel The Christmasaurus. In November 2020, a series of Fletcher's books appeared in McDonald's Happy Meals as activity packs, including stickers. In 2020, he also released 'The Danger Gang' a debut novel bestseller, also releasing an audiobook read by Harry Potter star, Tom Felton. The book is about a boy named Franky who moves house.[1]
Other work
[edit]In 2008, Fletcher contributed to the short story anthology Wow! 366.[26] Fletcher and the other members of McFly released their memoir Unsaid Things... Our Story in the autumn of 2012.[27]
In June 2011, Fletcher appeared on the ITV game show The Cube and became the third person to win £100,000. He gave the money to Comic Relief and BIRT. Later that year, he appeared as a gorilla for bandmate Dougie Poynter to ask five questions for the celebrity chest on episode 11 of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. He was also there to greet Poynter on the red carpet after he had won the series. In 2013, he took part in All Star Family Fortunes and All Star Mr and Mrs. All four members of McFly played Celebrity Deal or No Deal for charity in 2012 as well. In November 2013, he appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks with Emma Willis. Fletcher has been a guest on Celebrity Juice a total of three times. In 2016, he was a judge on ITV's Lorraine's competition to find a new children's author.[28]
Fletcher has a strong YouTube audience with slightly more than 633,000 subscribers. He was a frequent vlogger, filming his daily life and his life while he was on tour with McFly. He stopped regularly vlogging after the birth of his third child Max.[29]
In April 2021, Fletcher announced on his Instagram that he was asked to write an original song for Shanghai Disney Resort's 5th anniversary nighttime spectacular, "ILLUMINATE." His song is titled "Light Is In You" and forms the soundtrack of the fireworks show that concludes almost every day at the park.[30][31]
Between September and November 2021 Fletcher was a contestant on the nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing partnered with professional dancer Amy Dowden.[32][33] On 21 November they were the eighth couple to be eliminated from the contest, after a dance-off against Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu.[29] Since 2024, Fletcher has been featured as a coach on The Voice UK alongside Danny Jones in a duo chair.[34]
On 12 December 2023, it was announced that Fletcher will write the music and lyrics for Paddington: The Musical based on the Paddington Bear stories by Michael Bond and the film series. The musical is currently running at the Savoy Theatre and opened on 1 November 2025.[35]
Personal life
[edit]On 18 April 2011, Fletcher became engaged to his schoolmate and longtime girlfriend Giovanna Falcone.[36] They were married on 12 May 2012. In January 2013, Fletcher uploaded a video to YouTube, titled My Wedding Speech, in which he sang to the tunes of several of McFly's most successful songs during his speech: the video has received more than 24 million views.[37]
Giovanna is also a YouTube vlogger and an author. Her books, Billy and Me, You're the One That I Want, Christmas with Billy and Me, Dream a Little Dream, and Dream a Little Christmas Dream are published by Penguin's Michael Joseph.[38] She also released a book in 2017 about motherhood titled, Happy Mum, Happy Baby. She also blogs weekly for Hello! magazine.[29]
It was announced on Fletcher's YouTube channel[39] on 29 October 2013 that the couple were expecting their first child, with a video titled, We Have Some News....[40] In March 2014 their son was born. Fletcher announced on 3 September 2015, again on YouTube, that his wife Giovanna was expecting their second child, by means of a video entitled 'Player 2'.[41] In February 2016 their second son was born. During both pregnancies, Fletcher and his wife Giovanna took pictures every day throughout the nine months of pregnancy. They created another YouTube video to announce the arrival of their first son, which has more than 16 million views.[42] On 3 March 2018 it was announced that their third child was due in September, but their third son was born in August 2018.[29]
Fletcher's younger sister is Carrie Hope Fletcher, an actress, author, singer and YouTube vlogger. Carrie joined him to produce the 2012 Olympic Mascot song, "On a Rainbow".[43] Carrie also joined as a part of the cast of The Christmasaurus Live, a live production of Tom's debut children's novel of the same name. She played the part of Brenda Payne and sang two solo songs, "Thin Ice" and "I've Been a Good Girl".[29]
In McFly's autobiography Unsaid Things, Fletcher discussed his diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which he has stated was a great influence over McFly's second album, Wonderland. He has also described his struggles with his eating disorder, weight, and obsessive dieting.[44][45][46][47]
In June 2021, Fletcher and his wife apologised for using the government scheme to furlough an employee. Fletcher and wife Giovanna released a statement on social media clarifying that the money had been returned and admitted that "it was a huge error of judgement."[48]
Discography
[edit]Solo Singles
[edit]| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "Afraid of Heights" | The Christmasaurus: The Musical Edition |
| "Don't Know What It Is"[49] | ||
| 2019 | "Don't Turn Out The Light" (featuring 13)[25] | The Creakers: The Musical Edition[25] |
| 2025 | "The Explorer & The Bear" | Paddington: The Musical |
| "Pretty Little Dead Things" |
Music videos
[edit]| Year | Song | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "Afraid of Heights" | David Spearing |
| "Don't Know What It Is" | ||
| 2019 | "Don't Turn Out The Light" |
Bibliography
[edit]- Two short stories in WOW! 366 (2008, Scholastic)
- The Christmasaurus (2016, Puffin)
- There's a Monster in your Book (2017, Puffin)
- The Creakers (2017, Puffin)
- The Christmasaurus: The Musical Edition (2017, Puffin)
- Brain Freeze (2018, Puffin)
- There's a Dragon in your Book (2018, Puffin)
- The Creakers: The Musical Edition (2019, Puffin)
- There's an Alien in your Book (2019, Puffin)
- The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch (2019, Puffin)
- There's an Elf in your Book (2019, Puffin)
- There's a Superhero in your Book (2020, Puffin)
- There's a Witch in your Book (2020, Puffin)
- The Danger Gang (2020, Puffin)
- There's a Wolf in your Book (2021, Puffin)
- Who's in your Audiobook? (2021, Puffin)
- There's a Unicorn in your Book (2021, Puffin)
- The Christmasaurus Picture Book (2021, Puffin)
- The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List (2021, Puffin)
- There's a Bear in your Book (2022, Puffin)
- Space Band (2022, Puffin)
- The Christmasaurus Cracker (2022, Puffin)
- There's a Dinosaur in your Book (2023, Puffin)
- A Christmasaurus Carol (2023, Puffin)
- There's a Little Chick in your Book (2024, Puffin)
- The Christmasaurus and the Night Before Christmas (2024, Puffin)
- There's a Little Snowman in your Book (2024, Puffin)
- There's a Bunny in your Book (2025, Puffin)
- There's a Little Puppy in your Book (2025, Puffin)
- There's a Little Ghost in your Book (2025, Puffin)
- There's a Little Kitten in your Book (February 2026, Puffin)
With McFly
[edit]- Unsaid Things...Our Story (2012, Bantam Press)
With Dougie Poynter
[edit]- The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas (2012, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet (2013, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped the Past (2014, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped a Lot (2015, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped the Bed (2015, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped Daddy (2016, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped a Rainbow (2016, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped a Princess (2018, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped a Pirate (2020, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped Halloween (2022, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped Easter (2023, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped a Reindeer (2023, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped a Superhero (2024, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped a Zoo (2025, Puffin)
- The Dinosaur that Pooped a Monster (2025, Puffin)
With Giovanna Fletcher
[edit]- Eve of Man: Eve of Man Book 1 (2018, Michael Joseph)
- The Eve Illusion: Eve of Man Book 2 (2020, Michael Joseph)
- Eve of Man: Book 3 (February 2026, Michael Joseph)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Tom Fletcher biography". McFly Official website. Archived from the original on 1 July 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
- ^ "Sylvia Young Theatre School (Ex-students)". Sylvia Young Theatre School. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
- ^ Longman, Will (12 April 2018). "Carrie Hope Fletcher to star in Heathers the Musical in London". LondonTheatre.co.uk.
- ^ Judd, Harry [@mcflyharry] (17 March 2017). ".@BBCRadio2 @achrisevans Trivia.... @TomFletcher was the kid that "looked over his shoulder" in your music video! True Story" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "7 of Paul Carrack's best songs, from Mike + the Mechanics to Squeeze". Smooth. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ "McFly's Tom Fletcher and Busted's Matt Willis drop off their children at the same school » Hot Fast News". 7 September 2022.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - A Christmas Card by Paul Theroux". BBC.
- ^ "A Christmas Card - BBC Radio 4 FM - 29 December 1997 - BBC Genome". genome.ch.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "McFly Interview by CMU's Chris Cooke". The Beats Bar. December 2005. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
- ^ O'Sullivan, Kyle (18 September 2021). "Tom Fletcher was originally in Busted but was booted out after just 24 hours". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ^ Virgin Media Television (14 October 2022). "Tom Fletcher almost joined Busted instead of McFly 😱". YouTube. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ Warner, Sam (18 November 2013). "10 Things About... McBusted". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ^ Barrett, Jessica (17 November 2016). "Busted: Why we rebranded as a synthpop act". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (23 July 2004). "Mad about the boys". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
- ^ "Debut McFly album track by track". Mcflyofficial.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
- ^ Akinwumi, Stella (7 October 2021). "Tom Fletcher reveals film Back To The Future inspired band name McFly". Metro. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ "Flying visit to Marlborough by top boy band". The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ "Youngest double toppers". Guinness World Records. 10 September 2005. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
- ^ Pidd, Helen (30 September 2008). "The Party's Over". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ^ London2012 (11 October 2011). "Mascot song behind the scenes with Tom and Carrie Fletcher – London 2012". London 2012 Official YouTube Channel. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Renshaw, David (14 September 2011). "One Direction 'Can't Imagine Splitting Up'". Archived from the original on 4 November 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
- ^ Vincent, Alice (2 October 2013). "Telegraph Interview". Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ Jamieson, Natalie. "McFly's Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter pen kid's book". BBC. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ The Christmasaurus: The Musical Edition: Book and Soundtrack: Amazon.co.uk: Fletcher, Tom, Devries, Shane: 9780241336847: Books. ASIN 0241336848.
- ^ a b c "Don't Turn Out The Light (feat. Chapter 13)". YouTube. 31 May 2019. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ "Press Release: Wow! 366". Scholastic. 2008. Archived from the original on 25 March 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ "McFly Announce Plans For Biography, Discuss Jessie J Dreams". Yahoo.com. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
- ^ Eyre, Charlotte (11 February 2016). "ITV's Lorraine launches children's writing comp". The Bookseller. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "The latest star to leave Strictly has been named". The Independent. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ "Instagram". Instagram.
- ^ Heath-Jones, Lauren. "McFly's Tom Fletcher writes song for Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration at Shanghai Disney Resort". Planet Attractions. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ "Strictly Come Dancing - Series 19: Launch Show". Retrieved 26 September 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Williams, Kathryn (26 September 2021). "Strictly's Amy Dowden and Tom Fletcher test positive for Covid". WalesOnline. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "The Voice UK confirms new coaches and big format twist for 2024". Radio Times. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ "The Musical Adaptation Of 'Paddington' Is Premiering At The West End – And Its First Performance Is Next Week". Secret London. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ "4. Tom Fletcher - McFly - Pop Quotes 22 April 2011 - Capital". Capitalfm.com. 22 April 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ "My Wedding Speech". YouTube. 6 January 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "BOOKS BY ME!". Giovannasworld.com. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
- ^ "Tom Fletcher". YouTube. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ "Pregnancy Announcement". YouTube. 29 October 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Player 2". YouTube. 3 September 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ "Bump to Buzz". YouTube. 20 March 2014. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ "McFly's Tom Fletcher and sister Carrie perform the official olympic mascot song On A Rainbow!". YouTube. 18 November 2011. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ "Tom Fletcher | Tom Fletcher Struggled With Weight Obsession Before Bipolar Diagnosis". Contactmusic.com. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ "McFly's Tom Fletcher: 'I Was Diagnosed With Bipolar Two Years Ago' – Celebrity Gossip, News & Photos, Movie Reviews, Competitions". Entertainmentwise.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ "McFly's Tom Fletcher: 'I hated being the fat one'". Digitalspy.co.uk. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ "Tom McFly reveals weight issues". Rte.ie. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- ^ "McFly star Tom Fletcher and wife Giovanna apologise for using furlough scheme - 'it was a huge error of judgment'". Sky News. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ^ Tom Fletcher (15 December 2017). "Tom Fletcher on Twitter: "Don't Know What It Is - Official Music Video"". Twitter.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
External links
[edit]Tom Fletcher
View on GrokipediaThomas Michael Fletcher (born 17 July 1985) is an English musician, singer-songwriter, author, and YouTuber best known as the co-founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and principal songwriter of the pop rock band McFly.[1][2]
Formed in 2004 after Fletcher's unsuccessful audition for Busted led to collaborations that birthed McFly, the band achieved rapid commercial success, selling over 10 million records worldwide and earning a BRIT Award for Best Pop Act.[3][4]
Fletcher has since expanded into children's literature, authoring the interactive Who's in Your Book? series and the Christmasaurus novels, which have collectively sold more than 2.5 million copies in the UK alone.[5][6]
His YouTube channel, with content including book readings and family vlogs, further showcases his multifaceted career beyond music.[7]
Early life
Childhood and family influences
Thomas Michael Fletcher was born on 17 July 1985 in Harrow, London, England, to parents Bob and Debbie Fletcher.[8][2] Bob Fletcher worked as a printer in a Kodak factory and performed in local bands at pubs and working men's clubs, while Debbie Fletcher served as a dinner lady and teaching assistant.[9] The family maintained a middle-class lifestyle without professional connections to the entertainment industry, though Bob's amateur musical activities exposed Fletcher to performance from an early age.[9] Fletcher has one younger sister, Carrie Hope Fletcher.[10] Fletcher's initial interest in music stemmed from his father's influence, as Bob had aspired to a band career but pursued stable employment instead.[11] This paternal example underscored persistence in creative endeavors alongside practical responsibilities, shaping Fletcher's approach to music as a pursued skill rather than an assumed talent.[11] He began engaging with music at a young age, reflecting the home environment's blend of artistic encouragement and grounded family priorities.[12]Education and initial interests
Fletcher attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, a performing arts institution known for training young talents in music, dance, and drama, rather than a standard comprehensive school.[13] [2] There, he developed foundational skills in performance and songwriting through structured classes and extracurricular activities, though specific academic records indicate no exceptional scholarly achievements.[9] His initial creative pursuits emerged early, including a lead role in the West End production of Oliver! at age nine, providing practical exposure to stage collaboration and audience feedback.[14] [15] By his early teens, Fletcher began composing original songs independently, often experimenting with home setups and drawing from pop influences, reflecting self-taught trial-and-error methods without formal prodigy status.[16] Around age 15, he auditioned for the emerging band Busted in 2000, initially joining rehearsals but facing rejection when the label opted for a trio lineup excluding him, highlighting early barriers in group dynamics and selection processes.[2] [17] This setback prompted further independent writing efforts with school peers, fostering lessons in persistence amid unpolished collaborations and repeated critiques from industry scouts.[18]Musical career
Formation and rise with McFly (2004–2006)
In 2004, Tom Fletcher, who had auditioned unsuccessfully for the band Busted two years earlier, assembled Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter, and Harry Judd to audition as the support act for Busted's A Present for Everyone arena tour.[19][20] Fletcher's prior songwriting contributions to Busted, including tracks on their album A Present for Everyone, had maintained his industry connections, enabling the opportunity.[2] The group impressed during the audition and secured the opening slot, prompting them to formalize as McFly and sign a recording contract with Island Records, a Universal Music Group imprint, independently of Busted.[21] McFly's debut single, "Five Colours in Her Hair", was released on 29 March 2004 and debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart the following week, holding the top position for two weeks and marking their first chart-topping hit.[22][23] Their follow-up single, "Obviously", also reached number one in June 2004.[24] The band's eponymous debut album, Room on the 3rd Floor, followed on 5 July 2004, entering the UK Albums Chart at number one with first-week sales exceeding 61,000 copies and eventually achieving double platinum certification for shipments over 600,000 units in the UK.[25][26] This success established McFly as the youngest act to attain a number-one album in UK chart history, breaking a record previously set by the Beatles in 1963.[27][28] The album's release was followed by McFly's first headlining tour across UK arenas just a month later, building on their Busted support slots and generating substantial media attention through television appearances and press coverage tied to their rapid chart dominance.[29] By the end of 2006, following the number-one success of their second album Wonderland in 2005—which made them the youngest band to top the UK charts with their first two albums—McFly had sold over two million albums worldwide, reflecting strong initial market reception driven by teen-oriented pop-rock appeal and strategic touring.[30]McFly's peak success and challenges (2007–2016)
Following the success of their early albums, McFly maintained commercial momentum through the late 2000s with the release of Radio:ACTIVE on September 22, 2008, which debuted at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart.[31] The album featured singles such as "One for the Radio," which reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart, supporting arena-level tours including the Up Close and Personal tour in 2007 and a Greatest Hits package tour later that year.[24] These efforts sustained fan engagement amid a shifting pop landscape, with the band accumulating seven UK number-one singles overall by this period, though later releases showed declining peak positions compared to their debut era.[24] In 2010, McFly released Above the Noise, produced primarily by Dallas Austin, marking a pivot toward electronic influences that the band later critiqued as their weakest effort, peaking at number 20 on the UK Albums Chart.[32] Singles like "Party Girl" charted at number 26, reflecting moderated success as the group experimented with sound under external production pressures, diverging from their initial pop-rock formula developed with collaborators like Jason Perry on prior works.[33] The supporting Above the Noise Tour in 2011 included performances at major venues like Wembley Arena, underscoring logistical peaks in live draw despite softening single sales. Internal challenges emerged prominently, including bassist Dougie Poynter's admission into rehab on March 7, 2011, for stress, depression, and alcohol dependency, which disrupted band activities and highlighted personal tolls of sustained touring.[34] Poynter's struggles, including later revelations of substance misuse tied to fame's pressures, compounded creative frictions over direction and control, as evidenced by retrospective band admissions of stylistic missteps in albums like Above the Noise.[35] These interpersonal strains intensified post-2015, following the McBusted supergroup stint with Busted, where unresolved jealousies over solo pursuits and group dynamics led to an indefinite hiatus announcement in late 2016.[36] [37] The Anthology Tour earlier that year served as a final collective outing, amid evidence of "stupid" infighting that band members acknowledged as self-sabotaging.[37]Songwriting for McFly and external collaborations
Fletcher emerged as the primary songwriter for McFly, penning or co-penning the majority of their material, including their debut single "5 Colours in Her Hair," which topped the UK Singles Chart in April 2004.[38] He composed "All About You," a number-one hit in March 2005 dedicated to his then-girlfriend Giovanna Fletcher, which sold over 500,000 copies in its first week.[38] [39] Other McFly chart-toppers under his authorship include "I'll Be OK" (2005) and "Star Girl" (2006), contributing to the band's seven UK number-one singles.[38] [24] His songwriting extended to external collaborations, notably with Busted prior to McFly's formation, where he co-wrote "Crashed the Wedding," a UK number-one single in January 2003 that emphasized catchy pop-punk hooks over experimental elements.[38] Fletcher provided demos and tracks for One Direction's early development, including "I Want," originally a McFly outtake adapted for their 2010 X Factor Judges' Houses performance, which helped secure their group formation.[40] He later co-wrote "Irresistible" for their 2014 album Four.[40] These efforts reflect a pragmatic approach prioritizing commercial viability in pop songcraft, with Fletcher credited on additional hits for acts like 5 Seconds of Summer ("Try Hard," 2014).[40] Overall, Fletcher's credits encompass 10 UK number-one singles and 21 top-10 entries, verified through performing rights organizations and chart data, marking a shift from band-specific output to versatile pop contributions amid McFly's evolving sound.[9] [38] This body of work underscores his role in driving royalties and chart success through formulaic yet effective structures, rather than avant-garde innovation.[9]Post-hiatus activities and solo endeavors
Following McFly's hiatus beginning in 2016, Fletcher contributed to the band's reunion efforts, including the release of new material and the Power to Play Tour in 2023, which featured performances across the UK and marked a return to live shows after seven years. The tour emphasized high-energy pop-rock sets drawing from their catalog, achieving sold-out venues and positive fan reception, though commercial metrics like album sales remained below their mid-2000s peaks of multiple UK number-one records. This partial revival highlighted Fletcher's continued role as lead vocalist and songwriter, yet shifted focus toward nostalgic appeal rather than chart-topping innovation. In parallel, Fletcher pursued independent musical projects, releasing soundtrack albums tied to his children's literature, such as The Christmasaurus: The Musical Edition in 2017 and The Creakers: The Musical Edition in 2019, featuring original songs like "Don't Turn Out the Lights."[41] These efforts pivoted toward whimsical, family-oriented themes—reflecting his experiences as a father of three—departing from McFly's teen-pop angst to emphasize narrative-driven tracks for young audiences, with streaming numbers in the hundreds of thousands rather than millions seen in the band's heyday.[42] Further releases included Space Band in 2022, incorporating playful sci-fi elements, underscoring a causal link between personal life milestones and creative output, though critical reception noted the works' niche appeal limited broader commercial traction.[43] Looking ahead, Fletcher composed original music and lyrics for Paddington the Musical, set to premiere at London's Savoy Theatre on November 1, 2025, adapting the beloved bear's story with a focus on themes of belonging and adventure.[44][45] Directed by Luke Sheppard and booked through May 2026, the production leverages the franchise's established popularity—evidenced by prior film successes grossing over $1 billion globally—to assess viability, positioning it as Fletcher's most ambitious solo theatrical endeavor amid McFly's concurrent Busted vs. McFly arena tour.[46] This venture tests the scalability of his family-centric songwriting beyond book tie-ins, with early previews suggesting potential for sustained runs given the character's cross-generational draw.[47]Literary career
Entry into children's literature
Tom Fletcher's entry into children's literature occurred with the publication of his debut novel The Christmasaurus on 6 October 2016 by Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.[48] The work marked a transition from his established career in songwriting with McFly, leveraging rhythmic and lyrical techniques honed over years of composing pop songs into prose structured predominantly in rhyme.[49] This pivot was influenced by Fletcher's recent experience of fatherhood, following the birth of his first son in February 2014, which heightened his focus on creating content tailored for young readers amid family life.[50] Rather than pursuing traditional publishing routes initially, the project's commercial viability stemmed from Fletcher's existing fanbase and the seasonal demand for holiday-themed stories, positioning it as a market extension of his multimedia persona. Early reception underscored its niche traction in the UK festive and family-oriented segments, with The Christmasaurus debuting as the top-selling children's novel of 2016 and securing a shortlisting for the British Book Award in the children's category.[48] Sales data indicated strong initial performance, contributing to Fletcher's broader output exceeding 2.5 million UK copies by subsequent years, though precise Nielsen BookScan figures for the debut emphasized its outsized impact relative to other new entries in the genre. This success reflected pragmatic alignment with reader preferences for accessible, rhyme-driven narratives over experimental literary forms.Key publications and collaborations
Fletcher's debut middle-grade novel, The Christmasaurus, published in November 2016, introduced themes of childhood imagination, bullying, and familial loss drawn from his personal experiences with his father's death, achieving commercial success as the biggest debut middle-grade title of that year and reaching the Sunday Times children's bestseller list.[51][6] Sequels such as The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch (2019) and The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List (2021) expanded the series, maintaining formulaic holiday-centric narratives with magical creatures and moral resolutions that prioritized accessibility for young readers over literary innovation, evidenced by consistent bestseller status but no major literary prizes beyond a 2017 British Book Award shortlisting for the original.[52][53] In collaborations, Fletcher co-authored the Dinosaur That Pooped picture book series with McFly bandmate Dougie Poynter, starting with The Dinosaur That Pooped a Planet in 2012, which sold over one million copies through humorous, scatological adventures aimed at early readers, leveraging their shared celebrity for market appeal rather than critical depth.[5] For young adult audiences, he partnered with his wife Giovanna Fletcher on the Eve of Man dystopian trilogy, beginning with Eve of Man in May 2018, blending speculative fiction elements of gender isolation and rebellion in a resource-scarce world, which crossed into adult crossover sales but drew mixed reception for predictable plotting amid its commercial performance on bestseller charts.[54][55] Overall, Fletcher's output emphasizes high-volume, commercially viable titles—contributing to over seven million UK sales by 2024—with sequels and series formats indicating a reliance on established tropes for repeat engagement, as seen in the lack of standalone critical acclaim despite empirical metrics like translations into 42 languages and sustained chart presence.[48][53]Adaptations and expansions
In 2016, Fletcher announced plans to adapt his debut novel The Christmasaurus for the stage, with initial performances held in December 2017 at the Eventim Apollo in London.[56] The production starred family members such as his sister Carrie Hope Fletcher and McFly bandmate Harry Judd, alongside Matt Willis, emphasizing familial collaboration in bringing the rhyming story to live audiences.[57] Complementing the stage effort, a musical edition of The Christmasaurus was released on November 16, 2017, bundling the original text with a 14-track CD of original songs composed by Fletcher to underscore key narrative moments.[58] This edition facilitated further live readings and events, extending the book's interactive appeal beyond print. Film adaptation efforts for The Christmasaurus were revealed concurrently in December 2016, with an animated feature slated for direction by Michael Gracey, known for The Greatest Showman.[59] Development persisted into at least 2021, though the novel's rhyme-driven structure poses adaptation hurdles, as visual media prioritizes dialogue and action over textual rhythm, necessitating potential prose conversions that could dilute the original's musicality.[60] No theatrical release has occurred to date, highlighting common delays in children's IP transitions from page to screen. Expansions of Fletcher's works include illustrated series like Who's in Your Book?, initiated in 2017 and grown to multiple titles by 2023, featuring Greg Abbott's artwork to incorporate tactile, participatory elements such as page-shaking prompts for young readers.[61] These editions, co-developed with publishers, have broadened IP accessibility through board book formats and collections, generating sustained sales via merchandise tie-ins without altering core narratives.[62]Media and public appearances
Reality television involvement
Fletcher competed as a contestant in the nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, broadcast on BBC One from September to December 2021. Paired with professional dancer Amy Dowden, he performed routines including a jive to "Johnny B. Goode" from Back to the Future in week 3, earning 30 points from the judges, and a salsa to Harry Styles' "Watermelon Sugar" in week 6, which received 35 points.[63][64] The partnership faced physical challenges, including both testing positive for COVID-19 shortly after the launch show, forcing them to miss the second live week and rely on pre-recorded footage.[65] The duo advanced to week 9 (Musicals Week) but were eliminated on November 21, 2021, after receiving 34 points for their couples' choice routine to "You're the One That I Want" from Grease and losing a subsequent dance-off to Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu, with all four judges opting to save Stephenson's pair.[66][67] Despite the exit, leaked voting data indicated strong public support, with Fletcher and Dowden topping viewer polls in earlier weeks, such as 19.1% of the total vote following their salsa performance.[68] Series episodes averaged 9-10 million viewers, peaking at over 11 million for the final, providing Fletcher temporary exposure to a broad audience beyond his core McFly fanbase.[69] Fletcher's involvement yielded short-term profile gains, evidenced by heightened social media engagement and media coverage during the run, but lacked verifiable long-term uplift in music-related metrics; McFly's recorded output remained dormant post-hiatus until 2023, with no reported sales surge attributable to the show. Earlier contestant formats included appearances on All Star Family Fortunes and All Star Mr & Mrs in 2013, light-hearted quiz variants, though these drew smaller audiences and minimal career documentation.[70] Overall, such participations underscored a pattern of leveraging reality formats for visibility amid band inactivity, yet empirical data prioritizes transient publicity over enduring commercial revival in music streams or sales.Coaching and judging roles
Tom Fletcher joined The Voice UK as a coach for series 13, which premiered on September 7, 2024, sharing a single "double chair" with McFly bandmate Danny Jones, marking the first such duo in the show's history.[71] This innovative setup required the pair to deliberate jointly on turning for contestants during blind auditions and making team decisions, drawing on their combined pop songwriting and performance expertise to provide feedback emphasizing vocal versatility and stage presence.[72] Fletcher highlighted the collaborative dynamic as a strength, noting in interviews that their shared history allowed for balanced input, though it sometimes led to prolonged deliberations on act selections.[73] In series 13, Fletcher and Jones mentored a team that advanced multiple acts to the live shows, culminating in singer Ava Mannings (performing as AVA) winning the competition on October 26, 2024, securing their first victory as coaches and demonstrating effective nurturing through personalized vocal coaching and performance strategy.[74] Post-win, AVA credited the duo's guidance for her growth, with Fletcher expressing pride in the team's semi-finalists for their resilience under pressure, reflecting his focus on long-term artist development over immediate competition tactics.[75] Fletcher returned as a coach for series 14 in 2025, alongside Jones, will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones, and LeAnn Rimes, continuing to apply lessons from pop band dynamics to mentor emerging talent amid the show's high-stakes format.[76] While specific win rates beyond the 2024 triumph remain pending as of October 2025, his role has emphasized constructive critique rooted in commercial music success, avoiding overly technical jargon in favor of relatable advice on audience connection. No other formal judging positions on major music talent panels, such as the BRIT Awards, have been documented for Fletcher, distinguishing his contributions primarily within The Voice UK's mentorship framework.Online content creation
Fletcher established his YouTube channel in August 2009, initially sharing music-related content as a member of McFly alongside personal vlogs and covers.[77] By October 2025, the channel had amassed 637,000 subscribers and exceeded 140 million total views across 367 videos, demonstrating sustained engagement through seasonal series like Vlogmas and glimpses into daily life.[77] [78] Videos such as "A Very Dad Day" from 2015 garnered over 268,000 views, highlighting early forays into family-oriented material that evolved alongside his personal milestones.[79] On Instagram, Fletcher maintains a profile with approximately 2 million followers as of 2025, where he posts updates on McFly performances, book launches, and family excursions, fostering direct interaction with fans.[80] Content includes promotions for titles like Pudsey and the Thread of Hope, announced in September 2025 with proceeds supporting charity, alongside reflections on band events such as Sheffield Arena shows.[81] [82] This platform has facilitated follower growth tied to his multifaceted career, with posts achieving tens of thousands of likes, such as a July 2025 family birthday update receiving 28,000 interactions.[83] Fletcher's TikTok presence, under @tomfletcher, features shorter clips blending music snippets, parenting anecdotes, and creative writing insights, attracting 113,500 followers and 439,300 likes by 2025. The bio emphasizes his roles as a "galaxy defending Dad" alongside professional pursuits, marking a content shift toward family-centric themes post-McFly's reduced touring schedule and his entry into fatherhood. This evolution underscores a broader digital strategy prioritizing authentic, relatable output over polished band promotions, evidenced by recognition as a UK dad influencer emphasizing musical and familial balance.[84] Overall, these platforms have extended his reach, with combined metrics indicating millions in cumulative engagement independent of broadcast media.[80] [77]Personal life
Family and relationships
Fletcher has been married to author and actress Giovanna Fletcher (née Talbutt) since 12 May 2012.[85] The couple first met at age 13 while attending Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, where they quickly began dating as childhood sweethearts.[86] Their relationship has endured for over two decades, marked by mutual support through professional demands in entertainment and literature, without public reports of separations or infidelity.[87] The Fletchers have three sons: Buzz Michelangelo, born in March 2014; Buddy Bob, born in February 2016; and Max Mario, born on 24 August 2018.[88] Family life centers on raising their children in a stable home environment, with both parents prioritizing privacy amid their public profiles.[89]Personal beliefs and values
Fletcher places significant emphasis on family as a core value, describing it as "the most important thing in my life" and consistently prioritizing it over professional obligations, including music tours and projects.[90] In interviews, he has detailed efforts to maintain work-life balance amid demanding schedules, noting that he and his wife coordinate careers around family needs, such as attending children's events, which has informed decisions like McFly's periodic hiatuses to focus on parenthood.[91] [92] He advocates for openness in addressing mental health challenges, drawing from his own diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which he has discussed as influencing his songwriting and urging men to seek help without stigma.[93] This value extends to loyalty and mutual support within his band, where Fletcher and fellow McFly members provided ongoing encouragement to bassist Dougie Poynter during multiple rehab stints for alcoholism, helping sustain his sobriety amid the music industry's party culture.[94] Fletcher's choices reflect a pragmatic approach to personal well-being, favoring empirical adjustments like therapy and band interventions over unchecked excess, as evidenced by McFly's collective therapy sessions to address internal strains.[95]Controversies and criticisms
Internal band dynamics
McFly's internal dynamics were strained by the pressures of sustained fame, personal addictions, and creative shifts. Bassist Dougie Poynter entered rehab twice during the 2010s for alcohol and drug dependencies, including a period following a suicide attempt, which disrupted band activities and cohesion as members navigated support amid touring demands.[96][35] Creative tensions emerged prominently with the 2010 album Above the Noise, as the band experimented with electronic production under external producers, resulting in a sound they later deemed their weakest and least satisfying, alienating core fans and prompting internal dissatisfaction over artistic direction.[97][98] Following the 2014–2016 McBusted supergroup project, jealousies over individual spotlights and unequal contributions fostered communication breakdowns and infighting, likened by Tom Fletcher to a marriage fractured by infidelity, culminating in an indefinite hiatus announced in 2016 to avert permanent dissolution.[37][99] Members acknowledged these disputes as "stupid" and self-inflicted, with the hiatus enabling therapy sessions to rebuild trust and address underlying frictions from fame's isolation, framing the break as a necessary reset rather than endpoint.[37][100] The subsequent 2019 reunion underscored pragmatic recovery, though reflections highlighted persistent challenges in balancing group interdependence with personal growth.[101]Public missteps and backlash
In June 2025, Fletcher faced criticism for posting an Instagram update about enjoying a flight experience shortly after the Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12, which killed 241 people.[102] The timing led to accusations of insensitivity, prompting him to delete the post and issue a public apology, stating it was an unintended oversight amid the tragedy.[103] Media outlets highlighted the backlash alongside similar posts from other celebrities, such as Mark Wright, but Fletcher's response mitigated further escalation, with no ongoing professional repercussions reported.[104] During the 2025 Brit Awards in March, Fletcher's on-camera interview comments drew minor scrutiny for their tone while addressing bandmate Danny Jones' alleged kiss with Maura Higgins at the afterparty, amid Jones' marriage.[105] Fletcher expressed discomfort and awkwardness about being implicated in the incident, which some viewers and media interpreted as evasive or insufficiently distancing from the group dynamic.[106] The exchange went viral on social platforms, but coverage remained limited, focusing more on Jones, with Fletcher avoiding direct involvement in subsequent public statements.[107] Fletcher's participation in Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 involved repeated judge critiques on his technical execution and emotional delivery, particularly in routines like the foxtrot and contemporary styles, though these did not generate sustained public backlash against him.[66] Viewer reactions to his elimination in week 9 emphasized frustration with the judges' decisions rather than faulting Fletcher personally, and he addressed the feedback emotionally on companion shows without issuing formal apologies.[108] No evidence indicates lasting damage to his reputation from these professional assessments.[109]Reception and impact
Commercial achievements and awards
Fletcher co-founded McFly, which achieved significant commercial success, selling over 10 million records worldwide across seven UK number-one singles and multiple top-ten albums.[110][111] The band's debut album, Room on the 3rd Floor, certified double platinum in the UK, contributed to their Guinness World Record as the youngest band to secure a number-one debut single.[111] As a songwriter, Fletcher has penned 10 UK number-one singles and 21 top-ten singles, including tracks for McFly, Busted, One Direction, and 5 Seconds of Summer, underscoring market validation through chart performance.[9][38] His literary works, including the Christmasaurus series and co-authored Dinosaur That Pooped books, have sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide, with Fletcher's overall book sales exceeding 7 million in the UK alone.[27][48] McFly received BRIT Award nominations, including for Best Pop Act, and Fletcher's contributions earned the band recognition for breakthrough success.[112] In 2025, Fletcher's composition for Paddington The Musical, premiering at London's Savoy Theatre on November 1, marks a prospective expansion into stage production with broad commercial potential.[44]Critical assessments and legacy
Critics have praised Fletcher's contributions to pop music through McFly for their catchy, accessible hooks that appealed to a broad audience, particularly teenagers, but early assessments often dismissed the band as a formulaic boyband derivative, lacking artistic depth or originality compared to more substantive rock acts.[113][114] Publications like NME initially derided McFly with harsh language and multiple nominations for "Worst Band," reflecting a broader snobbery toward their polished pop-rock sound as manufactured for commercial appeal rather than innovation.[115] Later reviews, such as of the 2010 album Above the Noise, acknowledged efforts to evolve beyond boyband tropes but faulted the music as derivative and subpar in execution.[116][117] Fletcher's children's books, including The Christmasaurus series, have been lauded for their imaginative storytelling and interactive elements that engage young readers effectively, earning positive notices for blending fantasy with relatable themes of family and perseverance.[118] However, some reader feedback highlights occasional tonal inconsistencies, such as abrupt shifts to intense elements like violence in narratives aimed at ages 7-9, which can undermine the whimsical sentimentality central to their appeal.[119] Fletcher's legacy endures as a multifaceted entertainer who leveraged persistence across music, literature, and digital content to build a family-oriented brand, sustaining relevance through consistent output rather than paradigm-shifting contributions to any single medium.[120] His work exemplifies causal success via adaptability and audience connection, influencing subsequent creators in accessible youth media without redefining genres.[11]Works
Discography
With McFlyStudio albums
- Room on the 3rd Floor (released 23 July 2004) peaked at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.[24]
- Wonderland (released 29 August 2005) peaked at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.[24]
- Motion in the Ocean (released 9 October 2006) peaked at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart.[24]
- Above the Noise (released 15 November 2010) peaked at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart.[24]
- Power to Play (released June 2023) peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart.[3]
Singles
McFly achieved seven UK No. 1 singles, including "5 Colours in Her Hair" (2004), "Obviously" (2004), "All About You/You've Got a Friend" (2005), "I'll Be OK" (2006), "Please, Please" (2006), and "Transylvania" (2007).[24][122] Solo work- The Creakers: The Musical Edition (released 21 March 2019).[123]
- Space Band (released 13 October 2022).[123]
- The Christmasaurus - The Musical Edition (released November 2023).[123]
- "Crashed the Wedding" by Busted (2002) peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart.[38]
- "Thunderbirds (Are Go)" by Busted (2002, double A-side with "3AM") peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart.[38]
Bibliography
- The Christmasaurus (Puffin, 2016; hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook formats; UK number-one bestseller).[48]
- The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch (Puffin, 2017; hardcover, paperback, ebook).[125]
- The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List (Puffin, 2021; hardcover, ebook).[125]
- Eve of Man (co-authored with Giovanna Fletcher; Michael Joseph, 2018; hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook).[54]
- The Eve Illusion (co-authored with Giovanna Fletcher; Michael Joseph, 2020; hardcover, paperback, ebook).[54]
- The Dinosaur That Pooped series (co-authored with Dougie Poynter; multiple volumes including The Dinosaur That Pooped a Planet! (Aladdin, 2012; picture book formats) and sequels through 2020).[126]
- Who's in Your Book? series (solo; picture books including There's a Monster in Your Book (Puffin, 2017; board book, hardcover) and audiobooks narrated by Fletcher).[5][127]