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Wes Nelson
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Wesley Nelson (born 18 March 1998) is an English singer and television personality. In 2018, he appeared in the fourth series of the ITV2 reality series Love Island, and has since competed on Dancing on Ice, The X Factor: Celebrity and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, as well as winning The Games.
Key Information
Career
[edit]In 2018, Nelson became a contestant on the fourth series of the ITV2 dating reality series Love Island. He, alongside reality star Megan Barton-Hanson, reached the final and finished in fourth place.[3] In January 2019, Nelson participated in the eleventh series of Dancing on Ice. He was partnered with Vanessa Bauer, and finished as runner-up.[4] In October 2019, he competed in The X Factor: Celebrity as part of a group called No Love Lost, composed of former Love Island stars Samira Mighty, Zara McDermott and Eyal Booker.[5][6]
In August 2020, Nelson announced that he had signed a solo record deal with EMI Records.[7] On 17 September 2020, he released his debut single, "See Nobody", with Hardy Caprio.[8] On 1 April 2021, he released the single, "Nice to Meet Ya" featuring Yxng Bane.[9] In May 2022, Nelson won the ITV revival series of the celebrity athletics competition The Games.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Love Island | Contestant; Series 4 |
| 2019 | Dancing on Ice | Contestant; Series 11 |
| 2019 | 8 Out of 10 Cats | Guest panellist |
| 2019 | The Crystal Maze | 1 episode |
| 2019 | The X Factor: Celebrity | Contestant |
| 2019 | Sink or Swim | Contestant |
| 2019 | Celebrity Antiques Road Trip | 1 episode |
| 2021 | Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins | Contestant |
| 2022 | The Games | Contestant |
Discography
[edit]Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [10] |
GER [11] |
IRE [12] | ||||||
| "See Nobody" (with Hardy Caprio)[8] |
2020 | 3 | — | 9 | Non-album singles | |||
| "Nice to Meet Ya" (featuring Yxng Bane)[9] |
2021 | 33 | 5 | 63 |
| |||
| "Say Nothing"[14] | — | — | — | |||||
| "Habits" (with Ayo Beatz) |
— | — | — | |||||
| "Fly Away" (with French Montana) |
2022 | — | — | — | ||||
| "Message from My Ex" / "3 Words (Message to My Ex)" | — | — | — | |||||
| "Forever" | 2023 | — | — | — | ||||
| "Good Part" (with Deeps) |
— | — | — | |||||
| "Abracadabra" (featuring Craig David) |
2024 | 37 | — | 55 [15] |
||||
| "Barcelona" (with Billen Ted) |
— | — | — | |||||
| "Yellow" | — | — | — | |||||
| "—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart. | ||||||||
As featured artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [16] |
IRE [12] | ||||
| "Drive" (Clean Bandit and Topic featuring Wes Nelson) |
2021 | 17 | 30 |
|
Non-album single |
| "—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart. | |||||
Personal life
[edit]Nelson is the brother of professional footballer Curtis Nelson.[17]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Ex-Love Island star Wes Nelson sets sights on becoming North Staffordshire's next Robbie Williams". Stoke Sentinel. 18 September 2020.
- ^ "SPIN Chats To Wes Nelson About The Success Of His Debut Single, Love Island & More". SPIN 1038. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ^ "Wes Nelson in 'lots of pain' after 'bad fall' in training". Evening Standard. 30 January 2019.
- ^ "Dancing on Ice contestants: Who is Wes Nelson? Meet the Love Island star hitting the ice". Radio Times.
- ^ "Celebrity X Factor Line-Up Announced: Wes Nelson, Eyal Booker & More Form A Love Island Supergroup". Capital FM. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ Duke, Simon (12 October 2019). "When is X Factor: Celebrity on? ITV show returns with star lineup". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ Novak, Kim (7 August 2020). "Love Island's Wes Nelson signs recording contract: 'This is my biggest dream'". Metro. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Does reality TV have its place in music?". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Wes Nelson Drops Brand New Single "Nice To Meet Ya"". Celebmix.com. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
- ^ Peaks in the UK:
- "See Nobody": "Wes Nelson & Hardy | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- "Nice to Meet Ya": "Wes Nelson ft Yxng Bane | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ "Discographie von Wes Nelson". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Discography Wes Nelson". irish-charts.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ a b c "British certifications – Wes Nelson". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 December 2025. Type Wes Nelson in the "Search:" field.
- ^ Copsey, Rob (22 October 2021). "Wes Nelson interview: 'My confidence was low... now I'm the last person singing at the pub'". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ Peaks in the UK:
- "Drive": "Clean Bandit/Topic/Wes Nelson | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ Herring, Naomi (5 June 2018). "Love Island 2018 link to Oxford United has captain Curtis Nelson particularly interested this series". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
External links
[edit]- Wes Nelson at IMDb
Wes Nelson
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Upbringing
Wesley Nelson was born on 18 March 1998 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England. He grew up in a suburban family environment, the younger brother of professional footballer Curtis Nelson, with his father working as an engineer and his mother employed at a university.[5] Descended from both English and Jamaican heritage, Nelson has described himself as mixed-race, noting that he was the only individual of mixed ethnicity in his school year, which shaped his early experiences in a predominantly non-multicultural setting.[6][5] Nelson's childhood was marked by a supportive family dynamic that encouraged his diverse interests, including an early passion for music that began around age three when he would perform songs using a karaoke machine for his relatives.[7] He credits R&B as a foundational influence during his formative years, alongside artists such as Michael Jackson, whose vocal style and performances left a lasting impact.[8] This affinity for music led him to introduce multicultural sounds to his school peers, fostering his initial exposure to performing arts through informal activities and performances.[6] His upbringing emphasized a balanced, positive home life that nurtured these creative pursuits alongside academic and athletic endeavors.[5]Education and early career
Nelson attended secondary school, where he excelled academically, earning 14 GCSEs and four A-levels in science-related subjects including mathematics, physics, product design, and physical education.[9][6] Following his secondary education, he enrolled at Newcastle College to study electrical engineering.[6][10][11] In his early career, Nelson worked as a nuclear systems design engineer, focusing on the integration of chemical and electrical systems for nuclear power applications; he held this position while beginning his studies at college.[6][12][5] By 2018, amid his first year at college and with a growing social media following centered on his fitness and sports interests—such as semi-professional football and Muay Thai kickboxing—Nelson chose to leave engineering and pursue entertainment opportunities, auditioning successfully for the reality series Love Island.[12][6]Television career
Love Island
Wes Nelson entered the fourth series of the ITV2 reality show Love Island as an original islander on Day 1, which aired on 4 June 2018.[13][14] The 20-year-old from Staffordshire was initially coupled with Scottish flight attendant Laura Anderson during the opening public vote, forming an early connection marked by age-gap banter and shared interests.[15] Their partnership lasted until the post-Casa Amor recoupling around Day 30, when Wes, having returned from Casa Amor alone, remained single after Megan Barton-Hanson (who had entered as a bombshell on Day 8) chose new islander Alex Miller. Following Alex Miller's dumping shortly after, Wes and Megan coupled up, sparking villa drama and public backlash over the shift.[16][1] Throughout the series, Nelson and Barton-Hanson navigated challenges such as the "Snog, Marry, Pie" game, which highlighted tensions with other islanders, and public votes that tested their compatibility amid accusations of gameplay.[17] Key episodes included heated arguments during fire pit scenes. Their relationship endured to the final on 30 July 2018, where they placed fourth behind winners Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham, runners-up Laura Anderson and Paul Knops, and third-place Josh Denzel and Kaz Crossley, as determined by viewer votes.[18][16] Nelson's participation catapulted his public profile, with his Instagram following surging from under 10,000 pre-show to over 1.5 million within months, driven by viral clips of villa drama and fan engagement.[19] This exposure led to immediate media deals, including brand endorsements and management contracts that positioned him as an influencer, contributing to his reported millionaire status by age 21 through savvy investments and appearances.[20][21]Other appearances
Following his appearance on Love Island, Wes Nelson competed in the eleventh series of Dancing on Ice in 2019, where he was partnered with professional skater Vanessa Bauer.[22] The pair advanced to the final, earning high scores including a perfect 10 from judge Jayne Torvill, and finished as runners-up behind winner James Jordan.[23] Their performances were noted for strong chemistry and technical progress, with Nelson sustaining a hand injury during rehearsals but continuing to the end.[24] In October 2019, Nelson joined The X Factor: Celebrity as part of the supergroup No Love Lost, alongside fellow Love Island alumni Zara McDermott, Samira Mighty, and Eyal Booker.[25] The group performed covers of songs like Shawn Mendes' "In My Blood" during auditions and advanced to the judges' houses stage before being eliminated.[26] Nelson made several guest appearances on panel and variety shows in the years following. In May 2019, he served as a guest panellist on 8 Out of 10 Cats, discussing Love Island slang and experiences alongside Scarlett Moffatt and Rosie Jones.[27] That July, he participated in a celebrity special of The Crystal Maze for Stand Up to Cancer, teaming with Sunetra Sarker, Matthew Wright, Nikki Sanderson, and Ann Widdecombe to solve puzzles across zones.[28] He appeared as a guest on Loose Women multiple times in 2019, addressing his Dancing on Ice journey and personal relationships.[29] In November 2020, Nelson joined Celebrity Juice for an episode hosted by Keith Lemon, competing in games with Joe Swash, Chloe Sims, Pete Wicks, and Jimmy Carr.[30] Later competitions included Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2021, where Nelson underwent intense military training in Wales, later revealing he feared for his life during hypothermia-inducing challenges but valued the mental resilience gained.[31] He won The Games, an Olympic-style sports event for celebrities, in May 2022.[32] In February 2024, Nelson made a guest appearance on Love Island All Stars to perform "ABRACADABRA" alongside Craig David.[33] In 2025, Nelson returned to the Love Island villa set for a reunion with former co-stars including Josh Denzel, describing the visit as a monumental experience, and attended related events celebrating the show's legacy.[34]Music career
Debut and breakthrough
Following his exposure on Love Island in 2018, Wes Nelson pursued a professional music career, signing a record deal with Universal Music Group and its subsidiary EMI Records in August 2020.[35] Nelson's debut single, "See Nobody," featuring rapper Hardy Caprio, was released on September 17, 2020, and marked his entry into the UK music scene. The track, produced by Ayo Beatz, quickly gained traction through viral TikTok usage and radio play, debuting at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and spending nine weeks in the top 40. It was later certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales exceeding 600,000 units in the UK. This collaboration highlighted Nelson's blend of R&B and pop influences, establishing him as an emerging artist in the British urban music landscape. "See Nobody" has amassed over 76 million streams on Spotify as of 2025.[36][37] Building on this momentum, Nelson released "Nice to Meet Ya" featuring Yxng Bane on April 1, 2021, which became his first track to achieve significant international success. The song peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart but reached higher positions abroad, including number 5 in Germany and entries on charts in Ireland, Switzerland, and the Netherlands—totaling appearances on five international charts. Certified Silver by the BPI, it underscored Nelson's growing appeal in Europe and contributed to his early catalog's conceptual focus on confident, upbeat anthems about new beginnings.[38][39] These foundational releases propelled Nelson's streaming numbers, with his overall early output accumulating hundreds of millions of global plays. In 2023, he embarked on his first headlining tour across the UK and Ireland, performing to sold-out crowds and solidifying his live presence.[40]Recent developments
Following his initial breakthrough singles, Wes Nelson continued to build his music career through high-profile collaborations starting in 2021. That year, he featured on "Drive" by Clean Bandit and Topic, a dance-pop track that highlighted his vocal versatility over upbeat electronic production. In November 2021, he collaborated on "Tell Me" with Steel Banglez, Clean Bandit, Stefflon Don, and Unknown T. In July 2022, Nelson released "Fly Away" with French Montana.[41][1] In April 2024, Nelson founded his own label, Foot Down Records, and signed a distribution deal with Sony Music UK. Later that year, he teamed up with Craig David on "Abracadabra," blending smooth R&B melodies with garage influences, which showcased his growing comfort in fusing contemporary sounds with nostalgic UK garage elements. He released his solo single "Yellow" on December 31, 2024, a reflective pop-R&B track evoking themes of love and nostalgia, marking a personal milestone in his catalog. In March 2025, he followed with "Yellow, Pt. 2."[42][43][44][45] Nelson's artistic evolution became evident in his 2025 output, particularly with the release of "I'll Wait" on August 8, which introduced a shift toward roots-inspired R&B. The track incorporates acoustic guitar elements and a stripped-back arrangement, drawing on introspective lyrics about enduring love, diverging from his earlier high-energy dance tracks to emphasize emotional depth and organic production.[46] This release represented a maturation in his sound, influenced by a broader palette including R&B, dance, and reggae rhythms, as he recalibrated his style to prioritize authenticity over commercial trends.[47] By November 2025, Nelson's discography had garnered over 463 million streams on Spotify alone, reflecting sustained global listener engagement across platforms.[48] He expanded into live performances during this period, including headline shows at Manchester Academy in November 2024 and a slot at Colchester Castle Summer Series in 2025, alongside festival appearances like South Facing: Flackstock, which allowed him to connect directly with fans through energetic sets blending his hits with newer material.[49] His work has earned recognition in the industry, including a 2021 MOBO Award nomination for Best Newcomer, underscoring his impact in the UK music scene.[50]Discography
Singles as lead artist
Wes Nelson's singles as lead artist primarily emerged following his television fame, blending R&B, pop, and dance elements. His debut single marked a breakthrough, achieving significant commercial success, while subsequent releases have maintained a presence on streaming platforms and mid-tier chart positions. Overall, his lead singles have garnered certifications totaling over one million units in the UK, with "See Nobody" standing out as his highest-charting and most certified track.[51] The following table lists his key singles as lead artist, including release details, chart performance, and certifications where applicable:| Title | Featured Artist(s) | Release Year | Peak UK Position | Certification (BPI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| See Nobody | Hardy Caprio | 2020 | 3 | Platinum |
| Nice to Meet Ya | Yxng Bane | 2021 | 33 | Silver |
| Good Part | Deeps | 2023 | 29 | — |
| Abracadabra | Craig David | 2024 | 37 | — |
| Yellow | — | 2024 | 66 | — |
| I'll Wait | — | 2025 | 98 | — |
Singles as featured artist
Wes Nelson has collaborated as a featured artist on several singles, blending his R&B and pop style with electronic and hip-hop elements from established acts. These appearances have helped expand his reach beyond lead releases, highlighting his vocal contributions in high-energy tracks.[60] A standout collaboration is "Drive" by Clean Bandit and Topic, released on July 30, 2021, where Nelson provided the lead vocals. The track peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart and garnered international success, entering charts in countries including Germany (number 25 on the German Single Charts) and the Netherlands. It has accumulated over 144 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025.[61][62] In 2022, Nelson featured alongside French Montana on "Fly Away," a summery hip-hop-infused track that emphasized themes of escape and romance. Released on July 14, the single received positive reception for its catchy hook and cross-genre appeal, though it did not chart highly in major territories. The collaboration marked Nelson's entry into international hip-hop circles, with the song amassing millions of streams globally.[63][64] Nelson featured on "Abracadabra, Pt. 2" by Craig David in 2024, a sequel to their earlier joint effort that incorporated garage and dance influences produced in collaboration with elements reminiscent of Steel Banglez's style. Released on March 15, the track did not enter the Official UK Singles Chart Top 100 but earned airplay on radio stations focused on urban and dance music and peaked at 71 on UK iTunes. It contributed to Nelson's growing catalog of nostalgic yet contemporary collaborations.[65] More recently, in 2024, Nelson teamed up with production duo Billen Ted on "Barcelona," a vibrant pop track evoking summer vibes and travel. Released on August 2, it debuted at number 66 on the UK iTunes chart and received certifications in select markets for digital sales. The single's upbeat production and Nelson's featured verses helped it gain traction on streaming platforms and social media, further demonstrating his adaptability in featured roles.[66][67]| Single | Lead Artist(s) | Year | UK Peak | Certifications/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Drive" | Clean Bandit & Topic | 2021 | 17 | Over 144 million Spotify streams as of November 2025; international charts in Europe[61][62] |
| "Fly Away" | French Montana (co-lead billing) | 2022 | Did not chart | Millions of global streams; hip-hop crossover[63] |
| "Abracadabra, Pt. 2" | Craig David | 2024 | Did not chart | Radio airplay success; sequel to prior collab; peaked at 71 on UK iTunes[65] |
| "Barcelona" | Billen Ted (co-lead billing) | 2024 | 66 (iTunes) | Digital sales certifications; social media buzz[67] |
