Neville John ‘Noddy’ Holder MBE is an English musician, songwriter and actor.
He was the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the English rock band Slade, one of the UK’s most successful acts of the 1970s.
Known for his unique and powerful voice, Holder co-wrote most of Slade’s material with bass guitarist Jim Lea, including Mama Weer All Crazee Now, Cum On Feel the Noize and Merry Xmas Everybody.
After leaving Slade in 1992, Holder pursued a career in media and entertainment, appearing in TV shows, radio programs and commercials.
He also received an MBE for his services to music in 2000.
As an actor, he played the schoolteacher Mr. Holder in the ITV sitcom The Grimleys in the late 1990s alongside Amanda Holden.
Holder had a cameo in Coronation Street in 2000 and later played a garage mechanic called Mick Bustin in Peter Kay’s Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere.
In December 2015, he appeared as a presenter on Songs of Praise, and on Christmas Day, he appeared in a cameo role in Mrs. Brown’s Boys.
Holder was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer five years ago, but his wife has revealed that he has responded well to experimental chemotherapy and “coped with amazing good humor and breath-taking bravery”.
Who is Noddy Holder’s wife?
Holder is married to Suzan Holder.
Suzan has been by Noddy’s side during his five-year battle with oesophageal cancer, which was diagnosed in 2018.
In her column for Great British Life, she revealed that Noddy was initially given six months to live but has responded well to experimental chemotherapy and is now ‘feeling good and looking great’.
Suzan praised his positive attitude and mental strength, which she believes have played a significant role in his recovery.
Noddy Holder career
Holder began his music career in the early 1960s and achieved success as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the band Slade in the 1970s.
After 26 years with Slade, he left the band in 1992 to pursue a career in media and entertainment.
In addition to his music career, Holder has appeared in various TV shows and films.
He played the schoolteacher Mr. Holder in the ITV sitcom The Grimleys in the late 1990s, alongside Amanda Holden.
Holder had a cameo in Coronation Street in 2000 and later played a garage mechanic called Mick Bustin in Peter Kay’s Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere.
He has been a regular radio presenter, television personality, and contributor.
He was a TV critic and contributor to The Radcliffe and Maconie Show on BBC Radio 2 for eight years, often discussing rock star gossip from all eras. Mark Radcliffe, one of the show’s hosts, often refers to Holder as ‘Sir Nodward of Holdershire’.
Noddy Holder upbringing and education
Holder was born on June 15, 1946, in the Caldmore area, near the center of Walsall, Staffordshire, England.
When he was seven, he moved with his family to the Beechdale Estate, a council estate in the north of the town which was also home to Rob Halford.
Holder’s father was a window cleaner, and his mother was a housewife.
He also had an older sister named Patricia Holder, who was born in 1942.
In 1957, Holder passed the eleven plus exam and attended a grammar school for a year until it closed.
He then attended the new T. P. Riley Comprehensive School and passed six GCE O-level exams.
Holder began his music career in the early 1960s and achieved success with Slade in the 1970s.
He left Slade in 1992 and pursued a career in media and entertainment, appearing in TV shows, radio programs, and commercials.
As an actor, he played the schoolteacher Mr. Holder in ITV sitcom The Grimleys in the late 1990s alongside Amanda Holden.
In 2000, he had a cameo in Coronation Street and later played a garage mechanic called Mick Bustin in Peter Kay’s Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere.
In December 2015, he appeared as a presenter on Songs of Praise, and on Christmas Day, he appeared in a cameo role in Mrs. Brown’s Boys.
Holder was married to dress designer Leandra Russell in 1976.
They had two daughters, Jessica and Charisse, and divorced in 1984. In 2004, he married TV producer Suzan Price.
They have a son, Django (named after Django Reinhardt).
