Forgotten guys who gave up fame for normal jobs – a 90s icon who became an ambulance driver to become a pin-up and now pulls pints

THEY were the favorites of the 90s who made the pulses of teenage girls around the world beat with their strong voices, fluid movements…and toned bodies.

And while many boyband stars tried their luck solo after the groups they were in broke up, some chose a completely different career path.

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A privileged few have chosen to turn their backs on fame for a calmer pace of life, far from the glitz and glamor of the showbiz world.

Some of the boyband’s beloved blokes traded everything to work as teachers, fitness instructors and NHS workers – one surprisingly became a history buff and is now a best-selling author.

It’s no surprise, with an explosive new BBC documentary series airing this weekend, lifting the lid on the dark realities of life that come with instant pop fame.

Here we reveal what happened to the stars who turned their backs on the spotlight.

Giles Kristian – Inside Out

They were the first reality TV boyband long before Simon Cowell, Popstars and The X Factor.

Upside Down was formed in the early 90s with auditions filmed for a BBC documentary that catapulted Giles from an English literature student, living in a studio in Birmingham, to a global superstar filming pop videos across the world.

Speaking in 2022, Giles recalled: “We did Top Of The Pops twice and toured with huge 90s bands like Take That, Backstreet Boys and the Spice Girls.

“I even had girls camping outside my parents’ house in Rothley, it was a strange experience.”

The group had four top twenty hits and performed on Top of the Pops and at Wembley Arena before breaking up in 1997.

He tried his hand at a solo career but felt he was being controlled by music executives, so he quit.

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Giles returned to his love of books and became a Sunday Times bestselling author, writing books of historical fiction based on Viking warriors and the fables of King Arthur.

Reflecting on his previous career, he said: “I just started having less and less control over it, with managers just telling me to do this and that, and I just fell in love with it.

“You worry that complaining about it will make you look ungrateful because it brings you so much attention and fame, but it got to a point where I wasn’t happy and had to step away from this world.

“That’s why being an author might seem like a strange change, but it was the best thing for me. Being able to just sit in a room and write, without outside influence, was so cathartic for me. It was just the to the opposite of the music industry and exactly what I needed.

“I miss some aspects of it, of course. Performing was always so exciting, being able to sing for a living. Record signings were always much more exciting than book signings too!

“But I feel very lucky and blessed to have been successful in all my career choices. Going through all the auditions alongside 7,500 other people to be chosen as the lead singer of a four-person boyband, it makes you think that anything is possible.”

Sam Chapman – North and South

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The quartet found success in the 90s after finding fame on CBBC’s No Sweat.

It followed the exploits of a struggling boyband – but in real life the group had a string of hits, including their first number seven, I’m a Man Not a Boy.

But the group broke up in 1998 and keyboardist Sam decided to trade the stage for the school gates.

He became a professor of music at a Lincolnshire university and founded the Lincolnshire Music Network as a meeting place for emerging artists.

His former bandmate James Hurst, who now runs an ethical label, previously spoke about the pressure of being a teenage headliner, saying: “I was 16 when I moved from Norfolk to London, and I’m a vegetarian, so I cook for myself. It was difficult, so I got really sick at one point.

“I had seven stones out of two. I would wake up at five in the morning, get ritually sick, get dressed and go out to do our TV show. I didn’t eat breakfast because I couldn’t eat anything.

“It was a direct result of being too young and being in the wrong place. I think half the problem is that most of these groups are very young now. Billie Piper was 15 when she started. Too young to work as a professional artist, in my opinion.”

Michael Smallwood – Gemini

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If you thought Jedward was the first set of identical twins, think again.

Bleached blondes David and Michael Smallwood of Gemini reached the Top 40 three times between 1995 and 1996 and topped the charts in Asia before being dropped by their record company.

While David still performs, Michael left showbiz to become a business data analyst.

Adam Rickitt – 5th story

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Adam rose to fame on Corrie as Nick Tilsley in 1997, but his thrilling status was sealed when he launched a pop career with hit single I Breathe Again.

He later achieved boyband status within the pop group 5th Story, a supergroup whose members included Gareth Gates.

But Adam has now swapped showbiz for pulling pints, running a craft beer and wine bar – Dexter and Jones – in Cheshire with his wife Katy who is also a journalist on Good Morning Britain.

And fans of 90s pop might even find Adam showing off his music video moves if they come over for a drink.

The couple’s website states: “For us, Dexter and Jones is the ultimate passion project, blending our love for our community, each other, and good drinks… Who do you think everyone tries these new products?! But for us, it’s far from being a secondary activity: most of the time, you’ll find us either behind or in front of the bar, sometimes even dancing around!

Jimmy Constable – 911

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The boyband rose to worldwide fame in the 1990s, releasing 14 hit singles and four albums.

But during the pandemic, Jimmy swapped his fainting fans for flashing blue lights as he joined the ambulance service.

He trained as a paramedic and posted a photo of himself looking good in his uniform with the caption: “Hope you are all doing well in the current lockdown.”

“Over the last 5 weeks I’ve been keeping busy helping @ruh @NHS. I worked with @fastambulance staff driving their non-emergency patient transport ambulance service in the South West of England.

“It’s been an incredible experience and it feels good to do something so useful at a time like this.” #coronovirus.

Lee Brennan – 911

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Jimmy wasn’t the only 911 member to make a drastic career change.

Singer Lee also retrained and gained new qualifications as a health and fitness trainer.

And while the band still plays together, Lee has another side hustle as a sports and fitness trainer.

In 2021, he shared his latest qualification online, writing: “I made it and I’m buzzing!!! I am now a certified PN1 nutrition coach, which is amazing.

“My goal is to help you feel stronger from the inside out and help you create incredible changes in your mind, body and lifestyle that will last a lifetime.”

As 911, Jimmy, Lee and Spike Dawburn recorded a string of Top 10 hit records, including Bodyshakin’, All I Want Is You and Private Number. The trio sold six million albums worldwide and were megastars in Asia.