Kéllé Bryan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kéllé Bryan
Bryan in 2019
Born	(1975-03-12) 12 March 1975 (age 50) Plaistow, London, England
Alma mater	Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
Occupation	Singer actress
Years active	1991–present
Spouse(s)	Jay Gudgeon ​ (m. 2010)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	R&B gospel soul
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	EMI Mercury

Kéllé Bryan (born 12 March 1975) is a talented English singer and actress. She is famous for being one of the first members of the girl group Eternal. With Eternal, she sold over 10 million records! They even had a UK number-one song called "I Wanna Be The Only One" with BeBe Winans.

When Kéllé was 11, she started training at the Italia Conti Academy. This is a special school for performing arts. She trained there for eight years and even became a dance teacher. While studying, she met her friend and future bandmate, Louise Redknapp. Together, they formed Eternal with sisters Vernie Bennett and Easther Bennett.

During her time with Eternal, the group had three albums that reached the top ten in the UK. Later, Kéllé started acting. From 2018 to 2022, she played Martine Deveraux in the TV show Hollyoaks. In 2019, she also joined the panel of the popular TV show Loose Women. In October 2020, Kéllé and three other amazing women made history. They became the first all-Black panel on Loose Women.

Kéllé Bryan's Journey

Early Life and Starting Out

Kéllé Bryan was born on 12 March 1975 in Plaistow, Greater London. Her mother's name is Marilyn. When Kéllé was 11, she joined the Italia Conti Academy. This stage school helped her learn about performing arts for eight years. She even became a qualified dance teacher!

At the school, she met Louise Nurding. They met a music producer named Oliver Smallman. He was looking to create a new girl group. At first, Eternal was planned to be a group of three. But then, they decided to make it a group of four. Louise suggested adding Kéllé, and that's how she joined!

In 1992, Kéllé also appeared in the TV show EastEnders. She played a character named Debbie.

Becoming a Star with Eternal

In 1993, Kéllé, Louise, Easther, and Vernie Bennett formed Eternal. This R&B girl group became very popular in the 1990s. They sold an amazing 10 million records!

Their first album, Always & Forever, came out in November 1993. It had hit songs like "Stay". The album reached number two in the UK charts. It sold over one million copies in the UK and became one of the biggest albums of 1994. After this album, Louise left the group, and Eternal continued as a trio.

Two years later, the group released their second album, Power of a Woman. This album was also very successful. One of its songs, "I Am Blessed", was even performed for Pope John Paul II. Their third album, Before The Rain, gave them their first and only number-one hit song, "I Wanna Be The Only One". This song featured Bebe Winans.

Solo Music and New Paths

After Eternal's Greatest Hits album, Kéllé left the group. She then signed a record deal with Mercury Records. She started working on her own album, but it was never officially released.

Her first solo song, "Higher than Heaven", came out in September 1999. It reached number 14 on the UK music chart. This is Kéllé's only solo song to become a hit so far. Her second song, "I Wanna Know", was released to radio in 2000. However, its full release was stopped because Kéllé was diagnosed with Lupus. This song was later released digitally in 2019.

Kéllé's TV Career

In 2006, Kéllé was a contestant on Love Island 2. She finished as the female runner-up. Kéllé said the show helped her feel more confident.

Later, she acted in a film called The Naked Poet. In 2012, she played Fran in the BBC comedy Me and Mrs Jones.

In September 2018, Kéllé joined the cast of Hollyoaks. She played the character Martine Deveraux. She was on the show for four years, leaving in June 2022.

Joining Loose Women and Eternal Reunion

Since May 2019, Kéllé has been a regular panelist on ITV's Loose Women. This is a popular talk show.

In June 2023, Kéllé surprised fans by joining Louise Redknapp on stage at a concert. They performed Eternal's 1994 song "Crazy" together.

In September 2023, Kéllé decided not to join a planned Eternal reunion tour. She did this to support the LGBT community. Kéllé and Louise said that Easther and Vernie Bennett did not want to perform at some LGBT Pride events. Kéllé shared a statement online saying she supports "inclusion and equality for all."

Kéllé's Personal Life and Health

Kéllé was diagnosed with lupus in 1998. Lupus is a long-term illness that can affect different parts of the body. In 2014, Kéllé's lupus became very serious. She lost a lot of hair and had trouble seeing, hearing, and moving. She also had a seizure, which showed that lupus was affecting her brain. After this, Kéllé had to re-learn how to read and write. She still has some trouble with her short-term memory. She is a supporter of the St Thomas' Lupus Trust.

In 2010, Kéllé married Jay Gudgeon. They have two children together.

In 2024, Kéllé had to go to the hospital because of a kidney stone. She shared on Loose Women that the pain was so bad she asked her son to help her get to the hospital.

Kéllé Bryan's Music

Eternal Albums

• Always & Forever (1993)
• Power of a Woman (1995)
• Before the Rain (1997)

Solo Songs

• "Higher than Heaven" (1999)
• "I Wanna Know" (2000)

Kéllé Bryan's Acting Roles

Stage Performances

Awards and Nominations

Kéllé Bryan has been nominated for several awards for her acting:

• 2020: TV Choice Awards – Best Soap Actress (Nominated)
• 2020: Inside Soap Awards – Best Actress (Nominated)
• 2021: Inside Soap Awards – Best Actress (Nominated)
• 2022: The British Soap Awards – Best Leading Performer (Nominated)