Ben Ofoedu Explained

Ben Ofoedu
Birth Name:Benedict Spencer Ofoedu
Birth Place:British Hong Kong
Years Active:1989–present
Current Member Of:Intenso Project

Benedict Spencer Ofoedu is a British singer-songwriter. He is best known for being the former fiancé of Vanessa Feltz and for his media appearances thereby, though he had some success as a vocalist, having sung on ten UK Singles Chart entries as part of Benz, Phats & Small, and Intenso Project; a solo single, "Your Love", charted at No. 76 on the same chart.

Early life

Benedict Spencer Ofoedu[1] [2] was born in Hong Kong and moved to the United Kingdom with his family when he was two years old. His parents were Igbo; his father was a merchant seaman.[3]

Career

1980s and 1990s: Early career

In 1989, Ofoedu featured on the tracks "Don't Stop" and "The Deep", from Humanoid's Global.[4] He then formed Big Ben & The Fox.[5] In 1993, Ofoedu joined the band Benz under the name B.I.G. Ben, along with Tim Shade (Benjamin Balogun), and Darkboy (Anthony Benedict Thompson); The group had five singles enter the UK Singles Chart; "Boom Rock Soul" (No. 62), "Urban City Girl" (No. 31), "Miss Parker" (No. 35), "If I Remember" (No. 59), and "On A Sun-Day" (No. 73).[6]

In 1999 he became the singer of Phats & Small after they found they needed a frontman for their hit single Turn Around,[7] which peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.[8] Ofoedu would later sing on their singles "Feel Good" and "Tonite",[9] which charted at No. 7 and No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2000, he released a solo single "Your Love" under the name "Ben", which charted at No. 76 on that chart.[10]

2000s and 2010s: REDhill, Intenso Project, and Boyz on Block

In 2001, he joined REDhill, whose other members were Mark Brightman, Rodney Williams, and Shane Lynch; they were never signed, and disbanded in 2002. Ofoedu, Brightman, Williams, and Tony Thompson would later form Four Story in late 2003,[11] who with "Hand on My Heart" appeared on Making Your Mind Up with the intention of representing the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest; they came fifth.

In 2002, he joined Intenso Project,[12] which peaked at No. 22, No. 32, and No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart with "Luv Da Sunshine", "Your Music" featuring Laura Jaye, and "Get It On" featuring Lisa Scott-Lee.[13] In 2008, he wrote Chanelle Hayes' "I Want It".[14] On 11 March 2017, he appeared as one fifth of Boys Allowed, a parody of Girls Aloud, on Let's Sing and Dance.[15] On 13 April 2018, he featured on the Power of Muzik's "Bruised", a charity single which raised money for Barnardo's[16] and which also featured All Together Now winner Michael Rice,[17] Asher Knight, Angels N Bandits, and Luena Martinez,[18] who would later win as part of RLY.[19] In 2019, he co-founded the boy band pop supergroup Boyz on Block.[12]

Television career

Ofoedu has appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks four times; as a panellist he appeared on 14 October 1999[20] and 4 October 2004,[21] and as one of the Identity Parade he appeared on 17 November 2014[22] and 12 October 2021.[23] On 22 September 2006, Ofoedu performed magic tricks on The All Star Talent Show, where he came fifth.[24] On 29 March 2015, Ofoedu appeared on the BBC's The Big Questions, where the big question in question was "Do you need to be born again to be a Christian?".[25] On 29 November 2015, he appeared on Fern Britton Meets...,[26] and in September 2022, Ofoedu appeared on Pointless Celebrities.[27]

In April 2007, he and his then-fiancée Vanessa Feltz turned up on an episode of Channel 4's Celebrity Wife Swap, in which she spent a week with Paul Daniels, and Ofoedu spent a week with Debbie McGee.[28] On 22 September 2007, Feltz and Ofoedu won £150,000 on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.[29] Between 10 January[30] and 24 June 2011, Ofoedu and Feltz co-hosted Channel 5's The Vanessa Show.[31] In July 2011, the pair appeared on Pointless Celebrities, reaching the final, but failing to win the jackpot for their charity;[32] they appeared again in February 2019, winning £2,500.[33] They also appeared on All Star Mr & Mrs in July 2014,[34] and on Celebrity Big Brothers "Bit On the Side" as panel members on 1 September 2014.[35]

Personal life

Ofoedu is a born-again Christian;[36] his nickname in Benz, B.I.G. Ben, was short for Believe In God Ben.[37] He was engaged to television and radio presenter Vanessa Feltz between 2006[38] and 2023; the pair did not marry due to Feltz's previous bad experiences with marriage (her previous husband had cheated on her),[39] and they split up due to Ofoedu also cheating on her.[40]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Trade Marks Opposition Decision (O/315/00). IPO. 3 May 2023. 3 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211103035114/https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tm/legal/decisions/2000/o31500.pdf. live.
  2. Web site: Shape Your Future Podcast Episode 112: Ben Ofoedu, Singer and Song Writer. 16 December 2016. YouTube. 3 May 2023. 3 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230503103511/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLPZ_v_v5GY. live.
  3. Web site: Turned Around. Magzter. 1 May 2023. 1 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230501113941/https://www.magzter.com/stories/Culture/Ink-Pellet/Turned-Around. live.
  4. Global. Humanoid. 1 May 2023. Westside Records.
  5. Echoes. boombastic. 23 December 1995. 17. Alain. Clapham.
  6. Web site: BENZ. The Official Charts Company. 2 May 2023. 2 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230502063246/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/698/benz/. live.
  7. Book: Arena, James. Stars of 21st Century Dance Pop and EDM; 33 DJs, Producers and Singers Discuss Their Careers. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. 15 May 2017.
  8. Web site: PHATS & SMALL. The Official Charts Company. 1 May 2023. 1 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230501134518/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/7212/phats-and-small/. live.
  9. Now Phats What I Small Music. 1999. Multiply Records. Phats & Small.
  10. Web site: BEN. The Official Charts Company. 3 May 2023. 3 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230503104053/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/31762/ben/. live.
  11. Web site: Four chaps with a Euro-vision. 23 February 2006 . East London and West Essex Guardian. 3 May 2023. 3 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230503101853/https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/693482.four-chaps-with-a-euro-vision/. live.
  12. Web site: Boyz On Block: Who exactly are the band that have been asked to perform at Preston's Christmas lights?. Lancashire Evening Post. 11 October 2019 . en. 28 May 2020. 13 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210613030235/https://www.lep.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/boyz-block-who-exactly-are-band-have-been-asked-perform-prestons-christmas-lights-933411. live.
  13. Web site: Intenso Project. Official Charts Company. 14 August 2022. 14 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220814075032/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/12333/intenso-project/. live.
  14. Web site: So, this Chanelle Hayes single.... 9 May 2008 . DigitalSpy. 1 May 2023. 1 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230501130128/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a95607/so-this-chanelle-hayes-single/. live.
  15. Web site: Members of our favourite boy bands unite for a Girls Aloud classic on Let's Sing and Dance for Comic Relief. 11 March 2017 . Digital Spy. 1 May 2021. 11 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190511230228/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a823240/gareth-gates-duncan-james-jon-lee-boys-allowed-lets-sing-and-dance-for-comic-relief/. live.
  16. Web site: Anti-bullying music tour to visit Battersea school. 12 April 2018 . Wandsworth Guardian. 27 April 2023. 27 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230427113022/https://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/16155262.anti-bullying-music-tour-visit-battersea-school/. live.
  17. Web site: Hartlepool singer Michael Rice uses the power of music to tackle bullying. 4 May 2018 . Hartlepool Mail. 20 May 2023.
  18. Web site: Power Of Muzik – Discography. Spotify. 25 April 2023. 25 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230425131329/https://open.spotify.com/artist/09v38TIkNWGA7XCvFrcbLG/discography/all. live.
  19. News: X Factor: Can The Band winners Real Like You be successful?. BBC News . 16 December 2019 . 27 April 2023. 27 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230427083408/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-50807862. live.
  20. Web site: Never Mind The Buzzcocks Series 6, Episode 6. British Comedy. Guide. British Comedy Guide. 1 May 2023. 1 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230501184111/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/never_mind_the_buzzcocks/episodes/6/6/. live.
  21. Web site: Never Mind The Buzzcocks Series 15, Episode 3. British Comedy. Guide. British Comedy Guide. 1 May 2023. 30 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230430182211/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/never_mind_the_buzzcocks/episodes/15/3/. live.
  22. Series 28, Episode 7. 17 November 2014. BBC Two. Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
  23. Series 29, Episode 4. 12 October 2021. Sky Max. Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
  24. Episode 3. The All Star Talent Show. 22 September 2006. Channel 5.
  25. Web site: Episode 12, Series 8, The Big Questions . BBC . 1 January 1970 . 19 June 2016 . 1 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150401042313/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05q0089 . live .
  26. Web site: Fern Britton Meets..., Series 7, Shane Lynch. BBC. 1 May 2023. 16 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230516215113/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06r166x. live.
  27. Web site: Pointless Celebrities, Series 15, Music. BBC. 1 May 2023. 4 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220904005707/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001bv3c. live.
  28. Web site: Sorry for Vanessa? Now that's magic. April 2007 . Herald Scotland. 30 April 2023. 30 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230430114816/https://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12774459.sorry-vanessa-now-magic/. live.
  29. Web site: BBC Radio London presenter Vanessa Feltz's famous partner who was a 90s pop star. 10 February 2021 . MyLondon. 30 April 2023. 30 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230430140812/https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/bbc-radio-london-presenter-vanessa-19810155. live.
  30. Web site: Interview – Vanessa Feltz & Ben Ofoedu ('The Vanessa Show'). Digital Spy. 8 January 2011. 30 April 2023. 23 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121023033056/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/interviews/a296603/vanessa-feltz--ben-ofoedu-the-vanessa-show.html. live.
  31. 24 June 2011. Channel 5. The Vanessa Show.
  32. Web site: JustWatch . JustWatch . 26 July 2016 . 30 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230430140802/https://www.justwatch.com/uk/tv-series/pointless-celebrities/season-1 . live .
  33. Web site: Pointless Celebrities, Series 11, Family. BBC. 1 May 2023. 1 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230501142312/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0c2jy07. live.
  34. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20180304054937/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep5week29/all-star-mr-mrs. 4 March 2018. All Star Mr & Mrs Episode 5. ITV.
  35. 1 September 2014 . Channel 5 . Celebrity Big Brother

    Bit on the Side

    .
  36. News: When more is more. The Guardian. 29 November 2006 . 18 May 2023 . Cochrane . Kira .
  37. Web site: Billboard. 22 June 1996. 3 March 2023. 3 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230503093717/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=qQkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA61&dq=benz+hackney+%22t.i.m.+shade%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUuPyqxdj-AhVTg1wKHUo7BfoQ6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=benz&f=false. live.
  38. News: 'It gets worse': Vanessa Feltz on 'bloody annoying' age gap with musician partner Ben Ofoedu. 15 September 2010. The Independent. 1 January 2023.
  39. Web site: Vanessa Feltz shares reason she refused to marry Ben Ofoedu before split. 9 February 2023 . Birmingham Mail. 1 May 2023. 1 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230501113951/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/vanessa-feltz-shares-reason-refused-26196829. live.
  40. Web site: Ben Ofoedu Admits To Cheating On Vanessa Feltz As He Breaks Silence On Split. 12 February 2023 . Huffington Post. 1 May 2023. 1 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230501113941/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ben-ofoedu-admits-to-cheating-on-vanessa-feltz_uk_63e8b6b0e4b02c25737715d3. live.

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