Pete Burns

Burns performing in 2008

Pete Burns (5 August 1959 – 23 October 2016) was an English singer. He started the band Dead or Alive in 1980. Their 1985 single "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" was number one. He has since become known for having had a lot of cosmetic surgery. He also became known for being on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006.

Early life

Burns was born on the Wirral in England to a German mother, Eva.^[1] He started school when he was seven.^[2]

Career

In 1979 Burns was the singer of Nightmares on Wax. In 1980 he started Dead or Alive. In April 1984 Dead or Alive released their first album Sophisticated Boom Boom. Dead or alive's second album Youthquake was released in May 1985. It reached number nine in the UK Albums Chart.

In 2004 Burns released a single with the Pet Shop Boys. In 2006 "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" was released as a single for the fourth time. It reached number five in the UK Singles Chart.

In 2011 Burns was on Celebrity Come Dine with Me.

Personal life

Burns used to have "really bad depression".^[2] In 2006 he was arrested for attacking his fiancee.^[3] In 2007 Burns married Michael Simpson. Burns died in London following a sudden cardiac arrest on 23 October 2016, at the age of 57.^[4]

References

1. "See the changing face of Pete Burns". CelebsNow. 25 October 2016.
2. "Ponystep | Issue 2: The Inimitable Mr. Burns". Archived from the original on 2015-07-20. Retrieved 2014-01-21.
3. "Pete Burns arrested after gay bar fight - PinkNews · PinkNews". www.pinknews.co.uk.
4. "Dead or Alive singer Pete Burns dies". BBC News. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.