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'{{short description|English guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor, screenwriter}} {{use British English|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Jimmy Nail | image = Jimmy Nail.jpg | caption = Nail at the [[Sunday for Sammy]] concert in Newcastle, February 2020 | birth_name = James Michael Aloysius Bradford | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|3|16|df=yes}} | birth_place = [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England | occupation = Musician, singer-songwriter, actor | yearsactive = 1983–2009 | module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes | genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[rock music|rock]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[country music|country]] | background = solo_singer | instrument = Vocals, guitar | label = [[Virgin Records|Virgin]], [[East West Records|East West]], [[Papillon Records|Papillon]] | associated_acts = [[Gary Holton]], [[Mark Knopfler]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Guy Pratt]]}} }} '''James Michael Aloysius Bradford''' (born 16 March 1954), known as '''Jimmy Nail''', is an English singer-songwriter, actor, film producer, and television writer. He played the role of Leonard "Oz" Osborne in the television show ''[[Auf Wiedersehen, Pet]]'' and the title role in ''[[Spender]]''. He also recorded a 1992 number one single, "[[Ain't No Doubt]]". His role as [[Agustín Magaldi]], the oily crooner in the 1996 film ''[[Evita (1996 film)|Evita]]'', gave him international recognition. ==Early life== James Michael Aloysius Bradford was born in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] to father Jimmy and mother Laura.<ref name="Penny"/> His father was an Irish Catholic shipyard worker, amateur boxer, and professional footballer. Nail describes himself as an angry child who was expelled from secondary school for setting fire to curtains. When he was 13, his sister, Shelagh, died at the age of 20.<ref name="Penny">{{cite web|last1=Dent-Robinson|first1=Nick|title=Jimmy Nail – Interview|url=http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Article/8027/Jimmy-Nail-Interview|website=Pennyblackmusic.co.uk|access-date=20 January 2017|date=25 August 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923061039/http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Article/8027/Jimmy-Nail-Interview|archivedate=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> He later spent time drinking, fighting, and generally rebelling against authority. He was involved in a fight after a football match and was sent to prison. After being released, he worked in a glass factory. While opening a crate of glass he stood on a six-inch spike that went through his foot and thereafter was called "Nail",<ref name="Penny"/> a name he later adopted professionally. Also at that time he played guitar in a rock band called the King Crabs.<ref name="Courtney">{{cite news|last1=Courtney|first1=Kevin|title=Jimmy Nail, singer and actor|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/2.681/jimmy-nail-singer-and-actor-1.10207|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=20 January 2017|date=10 December 2011}}</ref> His sister [[Val McLane]] was an actress and later became Head of Drama at [[Sunderland University]].<ref name="Penny"/> ==Career== ===Television=== Nail's partner, Miriam, encouraged him to audition for a television show, and although he had no experience as an actor,<ref name="Courtney" /> he won the role of Leonard Jeffrey "Oz" Osborne on ''[[Auf Wiedersehen, Pet]]'', an [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] comedy drama about construction workers on the job, first in Germany, then other countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Article/8027/Jimmy-Nail-Interview|title=Jimmy Nail - Interview|website=Pennyblackmusic.co.uk|access-date=26 July 2018|archive-date=15 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115174205/http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Article/8027/Jimmy-Nail-Interview|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2000, he began work on reviving the ''Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'' series, this time for the [[BBC]]. It was filmed in [[Middlesbrough]] and [[Arizona]] in 2001 and aired in 2002, with audience figures of 13 million. Another series saw the brickies holed up in [[Havana]], and the final two-hour instalment, set in [[Laos]], broadcast over Christmas 2004 attracting over seven million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/auf-wiedersehen-pet-where-now-15392853|title=Auf Wiedersehen, Pet - but what happened to the cast after that?|first=Lisa|last=Hutchinson|date=10 November 2018|website=ChronicleLive|access-date=17 November 2020}}</ref> In 2008, Nail created and starred as Phil Parker in ''[[Parents of the Band]]'', a 6 × 30 mins series on BBC1, broadcast between November 2008 and January 2009. The series revolved around a group of teenagers who formed a band just for their own enjoyment, and their parents, who fully expected them to be the next [[Led Zeppelin]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 March 2008|title=Jimmy Nail returns to BBC One in Parents Of The Band|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/03_march/19/parents.shtml|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-11|publisher=BBC Press Office}}</ref> Ratings were disappointing, around three million.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wilkes|first=Neil|date=2008-11-30|title=Sluggish start for new Nail comedy|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ratings/a136964/sluggish-start-for-new-nail-comedy/|access-date=2021-08-11|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB}}</ref> ===Music=== Nail had pop hits with "[[Ain't No Doubt]]", co-written by Nail, Danny Schogger, [[Guy Pratt]] and [[Charlie Dore]], "Crocodile Shoes", and "Love Don't Live Here Anymore".<ref name="Penny"/> His album ''[[Growing Up in Public (Jimmy Nail album)|Growing Up in Public]]'' (east/west 1992) featured [[Gary Moore]], [[David Gilmour]], Elliot Randall and [[George Harrison]]. ''[[Crocodile Shoes (album)|Crocodile Shoes]]'' (East West, 1994) was based on the BBC television series of the same name, in which he played an English country songwriter. The album sold more than one million copies in the UK.<ref name="AM bio">{{cite web|last1=Bush|first1=John|title=Jimmy Nail {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-nail-mn0000065082/biography|website=AllMusic|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref> ''Big River'' featured guitarist [[Mark Knopfler]]. ''Ten Great Songs and an OK Voice'' ([[Papillon Records|Papillon]], 2001) was an album composed of [[Cover version|cover songs]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alexander|first=Jane|date=16 May 2001|title=Review: Nail livens up some old hits|url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5618943.review-nail-livens-up-some-old-hits/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-11|website=[[Southern Daily Echo]]|location=Portsmouth|language=en}}</ref> Nail sang on the film soundtrack for ''[[Evita (soundtrack)|Evita]]''.<ref>Evita (The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack) (Liner notes). Madonna. Warner Bros. Records. 1996. 9 46346-2.</ref> With [[Tim Healy (actor)|Tim Healy]], Nail has been involved with the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund, in memory of their friend and colleagues, established to help young talent in North East England. He has participated in the ''[[Sunday for Sammy]]'' benefit concerts.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hodgson|first=Barbara|date=2020-02-24|title=Review of Sunday for Sammy - from Jimmy Nail to Brenda Blethyn's dog|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/review-sunday-sammy-star-studded-17804722|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-11|website=[[ChronicleLive]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hodgson|first=Barbara|date=2019-11-04|title=Jimmy Nail joins Sunday for Sammy for surprise Auf Wiedersehen, Pet reunion|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/jimmy-nail-sunday-for-sammy-17197293|access-date=2021-08-11|website=ChronicleLive|language=en}}</ref> ===Theatre and film=== Nail came out of retirement to act and sing in ''[[The Last Ship (musical)|The Last Ship]]'', a musical by [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] about the shipbuilders of [[Newcastle-upon-Tyne]], the hometown of both Nail and Sting. Sting grew up in [[Wallsend]], down the street from the shipyards. Nail worked in the shipyards and is the son of a shipyard foreman. The show opened in Chicago. On Broadway, when ticket sales began to drop, Sting replaced Nail to try to save the musical, but it ended after a short run. Nail sang on the Original Broadway Cast Recording and on Sting's album, ''[[The Last Ship (album)|The Last Ship]]''.<ref name="Newcastle">{{cite news|last1=Weinert-kendt|first1=Rob|title=Sting and Jimmy Nail on the Musical 'The Last Ship'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/theater/sting-and-jimmy-nail-on-the-musical-the-last-ship.html?_r=0|website=The New York Times|access-date=18 January 2017|date=15 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="Betrayed">{{cite web|last1=Graff|first1=Amy|title=Sting: 'I betrayed my best friend Jimmy Nail to save my musical'|url=http://blog.sfgate.com/dailydish/2015/01/27/sting-i-betrayed-my-best-friend-jimmy-nail-to-save-my-musical/|website=Daily Dish|access-date=18 January 2017|date=27 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="Criticism">{{cite web|last1=McLean|first1=Craig|title=Sting interview: 'Criticism is part of the job'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/10370488/Sting-interview-Criticism-is-part-of-the-job.html|website=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=18 January 2017|date=13 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="Official">{{cite web|title=The Last Ship (Original Broadway Cast Recording)|url=http://www.sting.com/discography/album/396/Albums|website=Sting.com|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="Mathes">{{cite web|last1=Semmes|first1=Anne W.|title=Greenwich's Rob Mathes receives his first Tony Award nomination...|url=http://www.sting.com/news/title/greenwichs-rob-mathes-receives-his-first-tony-award-nomination|website=sting.com|access-date=18 January 2017|date=28 April 2015}}</ref> He had been due to reprise his role in the UK premiere at Northern Stage on 12 March 2018. The show's producer Karl Sydow stated: "After protracted negotiations carried out in good faith, we regret to announce the production's offer of employment to Jimmy Nail has been withdrawn. [[Joe McGann]] will replace him when the show opens in Newcastle in March." Nail said "I was very much looking forward to appearing in Sting's The Last Ship, particularly here in my home city, sadly that's not to be." Nail played Parson Nathaniel in ''[[War of the Worlds]]'' alongside [[David Essex]] at the [[Dominion Theatre]], London in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/war-worlds-dominion-casting-jimmy-nail-sugababes_39561.html|title=Casting announced for The War of the Worlds|website=Whatsonstage.com|date=21 January 2016 |access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> He played [[gamekeeper]] "Rabbetts" in ''[[Danny, the Champion of the World (film)|Danny, the Champion of the World]]'', based on the [[Danny, the Champion of the World|novel of the same name]] by [[Roald Dahl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/faces/jimmy_nail.shtml|title=Jimmy Nail|date=March 2005|work=Drama Faces|publisher=BBC|access-date=1 October 2010}}</ref> Nail had a lead singing role in the [[Evita (1996 film)|1996 film adaptation of ''Evita'']]. ==Defamation lawsuit== In 2004, Nail successfully sued [[News UK#News Group Newspapers Ltd|News Group Newspapers]] and [[Harper Collins Publishers]]. The lawsuit concerned false and [[defamation|defamatory]] allegations made two years before in an article in ''[[News of the World]]'' and ''Nailed'', a [[biography]] which was the newspaper's source for the claims. He described reading the article as one of the worst experiences of his life.<ref name="Libel">{{cite news|title=Libel payout for actor Jimmy Nail|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3571113.stm|website=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=18 January 2017|date=26 March 2004}}</ref><ref name="Gibson">{{cite web|last1=Gibson|first1=Owen|title=Nail wins libel battle|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/mar/26/newsoftheworld.privacy|website=The Guardian|date=26 March 2004}}</ref> He reportedly received damages of £30,000.<ref name="Libel"/> ==Personal life== Nail has two children and lives in London.<ref name="Penny"/> He is a [[Newcastle United]] fan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2015-04-24/sting-and-jimmy-nail-support-newcastle-united-boycott |title=Sting and Jimmy Nail support Newcastle United boycott |website=Itv.com |date=24 April 2015 |access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref> ==Filmography== === Film === {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- | rowspan="2" |1985 |''[[Morons from Outer Space]]'' |Desmond | |- |''[[Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf]]'' |Dom | |- | rowspan="3" |1988 |''[[Crusoe (film)|Crusoe]]'' |Tarik | |- |[[Dream Demon]] |Paul | |- |''[[Just Ask for Diamond]]'' |Boyle | |- |1989 |''[[Danny, the Champion of the World (film)|Danny, the Champion of the World]]'' |Rabbetts | |- |1996 |''[[Evita (1996 film)|Evita]]'' |[[Agustín Magaldi]] | |- |1998 |''[[Still Crazy]]'' |Les Wickes | |- |} ===Television=== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |1983–1984, 1986, 2002, 2004 |''[[Auf Wiedersehen, Pet]]'' |[[Leonard "Oz" Osborne|Leonard Jeffrey "Oz" Osborne]] |40 episodes |- |1983 |''Spyship'' |Metcalfe |2 episodes |- | rowspan="2" |1984 |''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]'' |Nathan Loveridge |Episode: "The Car Lot Baggers" |- |''[[Master of the Game (novel)#Adaptation|Master of the Game]]'' |Schmidt |Episode 1 Minseries |- | rowspan="2" |1985 |''[[Blott on the Landscape]]'' |Edwards |Episode: "Cards on the Table" |- |''[[Wallenberg: A Hero's Story]]'' |Vilmos Langfelder |Television film |- | rowspan="4" |1986 |''Nicking Kids'' |Criminal 1 | |- |''Lenny Henry Tonite'' |Guest star |Episode: "Neighbourhood Watch" |- |''Educating Oz'' |Oz Osborne | rowspan="2" |Television film |- |''Shoot for the Sun'' |Geordie |- |1991–1993 |''[[Spender]]'' |Freddie Spender |21 episodes Also writer, producer and creator |- |1994 |''[[Crocodile Shoes]]'' | rowspan="2" |Jed Shepperd |7 episodes Also writer, executive producer, creator and director/co-director |- |1996 |''[[Crocodile Shoes II]]'' |6 episodes Also writer, executive producer and creator |- |2000 |''[[The 10th Kingdom]]'' |Clayface the Goblin |Miniseries |- |2008–2009 |''[[Parents of the Band]]'' |Phil Parker |6 episodes Also creator, executive producer and title music composer |} ==Discography== {{Main|Jimmy Nail discography}} * ''Take It or Leave It'' (1986) * ''[[Growing Up in Public (Jimmy Nail album)|Growing Up in Public]]'' (1992) * ''[[Crocodile Shoes (album)|Crocodile Shoes]]'' (1994) * ''Big River'' (1995) * ''Crocodile Shoes II'' (1996) * ''Tadpoles in a Jar'' (1999) * ''10 Great Songs and an OK Voice'' (2001) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Sources== * Larkin, Colin. ''The Encyclopedia of Popular Music'', 3rd edition, Macmillan, 1998.<!-- ISSN/ISBN needed --> ==External links== * {{IMDb name|0619700}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Nail, Jimmy}} [[Category:1954 births]] [[Category:20th-century British composers]] [[Category:20th-century English male actors]] [[Category:20th-century English singers]] [[Category:20th-century English writers]] [[Category:21st-century composers]] [[Category:21st-century English male actors]] [[Category:21st-century English singers]] [[Category:21st-century English writers]] [[Category:English country guitarists]] [[Category:English country singer-songwriters]] [[Category:English autobiographers]] [[Category:English film score composers]] [[Category:English male film score composers]] [[Category:English male film actors]] [[Category:English male television actors]] [[Category:English people of Irish descent]] [[Category:English pop guitarists]] [[Category:English male guitarists]] [[Category:English pop rock singers]] [[Category:English rock guitarists]] [[Category:English male singer-songwriters]] [[Category:English singer-songwriters]] [[Category:English soul singers]] [[Category:English television producers]] [[Category:English television writers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:London Records artists]] [[Category:Musicians from Newcastle upon Tyne]] [[Category:British rock and roll musicians]] [[Category:Soul guitarists]] [[Category:Virgin Records artists]] [[Category:Warner Music Group artists]] [[Category:20th-century British guitarists]] [[Category:21st-century British guitarists]] [[Category:British male television writers]] [[Category:20th-century British male singers]] [[Category:21st-century British male singers]] [[Category:Actors from County Durham]]'