Kéllé Bryan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kéllé Bryan
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Bryan in 2019
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| Born | 12 March 1975 |
| Alma mater | Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Jay Gudgeon
(m. 2010) |
| Children | 2 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | |
Kéllé Bryan (born 12 March 1975) is a talented English singer and actress. Many people know her as a member of the popular 1990s girl group called Eternal.
Later, in 2018, Kéllé started acting in the TV show Hollyoaks on Channel 4. She played the character Martine Deveraux until 2022. She is also a regular on the TV show Loose Women, where she joins other women to discuss different topics. In October 2020, Kéllé Bryan, along with Charlene White, Brenda Edwards, and Judi Love, made history by being the first all-Black panel on Loose Women.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Kéllé Bryan was born on March 12, 1975, in Plaistow, a part of Greater London. When she was 11 years old, Kéllé joined a special school called the Italia Conti Academy. This school teaches performing arts, like singing, dancing, and acting.
Kéllé spent eight years at the Italia Conti Academy. She learned a lot about performing and even became a qualified dance teacher. While she was there, she met Louise Nurding. They later met a music producer named Oliver Smallman, who was putting together a new girl group. Louise suggested her best friend Kéllé, and that's how Kéllé became part of the group that would become Eternal.
Kéllé's Career Journey
Before joining Eternal, Kéllé Bryan had a few acting roles. She appeared in the TV show The Bill on ITV. On March 31, 1992, she also played a character named Debbie in the BBC show EastEnders. Debbie was a college friend of Lloyd Tavernier.
Becoming Part of Eternal
In 1993, Kéllé Bryan, Louise Nurding, and sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett formed the R&B girl group Eternal. This group became very successful in the 1990s. Eternal sold millions of albums and had 16 hit songs in a row that reached the top 15 in the UK charts. Some of their famous songs include "Stay," "Just a Step from Heaven," "Power of a Woman," and "I Wanna Be the Only One."
After Louise Nurding left the group, Kéllé felt that the Bennett sisters started to treat her differently. Eventually, she was asked to leave the group.
Solo Music and TV Appearances
After leaving Eternal, Kéllé Bryan signed a record deal with Mercury Records. She started working on her first solo album, which was going to be called Breakfast in Bed, but it was never officially released. Her first solo song, "Higher than Heaven," came out in the UK on September 20, 1999, and reached number 14 on the music charts. Her second song, "I Wanna Know," was planned for release in 2000 but was cancelled.
In 2006, Kéllé was a contestant on the TV show Love Island 2. She finished as the female runner-up on the show. She also sang backing vocals for a song called "I Found Love" by Lankai in 2008.
Acting Roles and Loose Women
Kéllé has had many acting roles. She starred in a musical comedy called The X-Tra Factor and a film named The Naked Poet, where she played Michelle. In 2012, she played Fran in the BBC comedy Me and Mrs Jones.
In September 2018, Kéllé joined the cast of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. She played the character Martine Deveraux for four years. From May 2019, she also became a regular panelist on the ITV show Loose Women. Kéllé announced she was leaving Hollyoaks on June 3, 2022, and her final scenes aired that same day.
In 2023, Kéllé made a surprise appearance on stage with her former bandmate Louise Redknapp at a concert. They performed their 1994 Eternal song "Crazy" together.
Supporting Equality
In September 2023, Kéllé Bryan decided not to join a planned Eternal reunion tour. She did this to show her support for the LGBT community. Kéllé and Louise Redknapp explained that the other Eternal members, Easther and Vernie Bennett, did not want to perform at some proposed LGBT Pride events. Kéllé then shared a statement on her Twitter, saying that she believes in "inclusion and equality for all."
Personal Life and Health
Kéllé Bryan was diagnosed with a health condition called lupus in 1998. Lupus is a long-term illness that can affect different parts of the body. Kéllé is a supporter of the St Thomas' Lupus Trust, which helps people with this condition.
In 2010, Kéllé married Jay Gudgeon. They have two children together.
In 2014, Kéllé's lupus symptoms became very serious. She lost a lot of her hair, and her sight, hearing, and ability to move became worse. She also found it hard to speak. Later, she had a seizure, and doctors confirmed that her lupus was affecting her brain. After this, Kéllé had to re-learn how to read and write. She still sometimes struggles with remembering things for a short time.
Film and TV Roles
Kéllé Bryan has appeared in many TV shows and films:
- 1992: EastEnders as Debbie
- 2006: Celebrity Love Island as Herself (Runner-up)
- 2007: The Virus as Nurse (Short film)
- 2009: The Brothers as Jen (Main role)
- 2012: Me and Mrs Jones as Fran (Main role)
- 2012: Rocket's Island as Wendy Sparks (3 episodes)
- 2016: The Naked Poet as Michelle (Film)
- 2018–2022: Hollyoaks as Martine Deveraux (Series regular)
- 2019–present: Loose Women as Herself (Panelist)
- 2023: Significant Other as Shelley (Main role)
- 2024: Richard Osman's House of Games as Herself (Season 8 Episodes 21-25)
Stage Performances
Kéllé has also performed in various stage shows and pantomimes:
- 2005–2006: Jack and the Beanstalk as Jill at Buxton Opera House
- 2006–2007: Cinderella as Cinderella at Catford Theatre
- 2007–2008: Cinderella as Cinderella at Oakengates Theatre
- 2008–2009: Aladdin as Princess Jasmine at Rickmansworth Watersmeet Theatre
- 2009–2010: Cinderella as Cinderella at Derby Assembly Rooms
- 2010–2011: Cinderella as Cinderella at The Playhouse, Weston Super Mare
- 2023-2024: Snow White as Good Fairy Elementa at Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
