Jimmy Nail facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jimmy Nail
Nail at the Sunday for Sammy concert in Newcastle, February 2020
Born	James Michael Patrick Aloysius Bradford (1954-03-16) 16 March 1954 (age 71) Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Occupation	Actor author vocalist songwriter screenwriter producer
Years active	1982–2005 2008–2009 2012 2013–2016 2020 2024–present
Musical career
Genres	Pop rock soul country
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Virgin East West Papillon

James Michael Aloysius Bradford (born 16 March 1954), known as Jimmy Nail, is a famous English singer, songwriter, and actor. He is also a film producer and television writer. He became well-known for playing Leonard "Oz" Osborne in the TV show Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983-1986). He also starred in Spender (1991-1993) and Crocodile Shoes (1994-1996). In 1992, his song "Ain't No Doubt" became a number one hit. He gained international fame for his role as Agustín Magaldi in the 1996 film Evita.

Early Life and Nickname

James Michael Aloysius Bradford was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. His father, Jimmy, worked in a shipyard and was also a boxer and footballer. When Jimmy was 13, his older sister, Shelagh, sadly passed away at age 20.

After leaving school, Jimmy worked in a glass factory. One day, while opening a crate, a six-inch spike went through his foot. Because of this accident, people started calling him "Nail." He later used this as his professional name. Before acting, he sang in a rock band called the King Crabs. His sister, Val McLane, is also an actress. She helped start the Live Theatre Company in Newcastle.

A Career in Entertainment

Jimmy Nail has had a very successful career since he got his big break in 1983. He has appeared in many TV shows and movies. He has also released several music albums and performed on stage.

Television Roles

In 1982, Jimmy's partner, Miriam, encouraged him to try out for a TV show. Even though he had no acting experience, he got the part of "Oz" Osborne. This was for the show Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. It was a comedy-drama about British construction workers abroad. The show became very popular, with millions of viewers. He appeared in the first two series, which aired in 1983 and 1986.

In 1989, Jimmy Nail helped create a new BBC drama series called Spender. He also starred in it. Spender ran for three series from 1990 to 1992, plus a Christmas special in 1993. It was also very popular, with about 14 million viewers per episode.

In 1994, Jimmy Nail created, wrote, and starred in another BBC drama, Crocodile Shoes. This show was originally planned as a single film. But it became so popular that it ran for two series. The show's music album sold over one million copies.

In 2000, he helped bring back Auf Wiedersehen, Pet for the BBC. New episodes were filmed in Middlesbrough and Arizona and aired in 2002. Later series were set in Havana and Laos.

In 2008, Jimmy Nail created and starred in Parents of the Band. This BBC1 series was about teenagers who formed a band and their parents' high hopes for them.

Music Journey

Before acting, Jimmy Nail was a musician in Newcastle. He was the lead singer of The King Crabs. He was known for his unique stage style, often performing in a dress and Doc Marten boots.

After his success in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, record companies wanted him to release music. In 1985, he released the album Take It Or Leave It. It included the song "Love Don't Live Here Anymore," which reached No. 3 on the charts. This led to his first appearance on Top of the Pops.

Seven years later, in 1992, Jimmy Nail had a huge pop hit with "Ain't No Doubt." He co-wrote this song. It went to No. 1 and stayed there for three weeks. His album, Growing Up In Public, also did very well, reaching No. 2 in the UK Album Charts. Famous musicians like Gary Moore, David Gilmour, and George Harrison played on the album.

His music career really took off. In 1994, his album Crocodile Shoes was released with the TV show. The title track was a hit, and the album sold over a million copies.

In 1995, his album Big River reached No. 8. The title song, a tribute to his hometown of Newcastle, was also a hit. Mark Knopfler played guitar on this track.

In 1996, Crocodile Shoes II was released, again with the TV series. It also did well, reaching No. 10.

In 1997, a collection of his best songs, The Nail File: The Best of Jimmy Nail, was released. It included a new song, "Black and White," which he sang with Ranking Roger.

In 1999, he released Tadpoles In A Jar. In 2001, he released 10 Great Songs and an OK Voice, which featured his favorite songs by other artists. Jimmy also sang on the soundtrack for the film Evita. His song "Big River" is often played at Newcastle United's home stadium, St James' Park.

Jimmy Nail, along with Tim Healy, co-founded the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund in 1999. This fund helps young talent in North East England. He has also performed at the Sunday for Sammy benefit concerts.

In 2012, Jimmy joined Sting on stage in Gateshead to sing "Every Breath You Take."

Theatre and Film Appearances

Jimmy Nail worked as an extra in the 1971 British film Get Carter. He later joked about this small role with the film's director.

In 1989, he played "Rabbetts" in Danny, the Champion of the World, a TV film based on the Roald Dahl novel. He also had a main singing role in the 1996 film Evita.

In 1998, Jimmy played Les Wickes in the film Still Crazy. The film's main song, "The Flame Still Burns," sung by Nail, was nominated for a Golden Globe award.

In 2014, Jimmy Nail returned to acting and singing in The Last Ship. This was a musical by Sting about shipbuilders in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Jimmy had worked in shipyards himself. He sang on the musical's original cast recording and on Sting's album.

In 2016, Jimmy played Parson Nathaniel in a production of War of the Worlds in London.

In 2019, Jimmy Nail started working on Seconds Away!, a play with music for the Live Theatre Company in Newcastle. He wrote the songs and plays the main character, Frankie Tanner. A staged reading of the play took place in February 2024.

Personal Life

Jimmy Nail has two children. He lives in Newcastle and is a big fan of the Newcastle United football team. Since 2017, he has supported FACT, a cancer charity in the North-East of England.

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

• Take It or Leave It (1986)
• Growing Up in Public (1992)
• Crocodile Shoes (1994)
• Big River (1995)
• Crocodile Shoes II (1996)
• Tadpoles in a Jar (1999)
• 10 Great Songs and an OK Voice (2001)