Richard Fleeshman

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Richard Fleeshman bigraphy, stories - English actor, singer-songwriter

Richard Fleeshman : biography

8 June 1989 –

Richard Jonathan Fleeshman (born 8 June 1989) is an English actor and singer-songwriter. His television career began as a twelve-year-old, playing Craig Harris for four years in Coronation Street and most recently All The Small Things.

Acting career

Richard started his professional career in the film called An Angel for May. At the age of 12,from 2002 to 2006, he played the role of Craig Harris in Coronation Street. He was the only member of his on-screen family to escape the axe in 2005, leaving the programme at the age of 16. His last episode aired on 16 October 2006. Richard later filmed an episode of Blue Murder in 2007 in which he played a character called Ben Holroyd, starring alongside Jill Halfpenny. The episode, called "Crisis Management", aired in December 2007 on ITV. He played the role of Gillen in ITV comedy drama Monday Monday, which aired on 10 August 2009. On 16 June 2010, Richard joined the company of Legally Blonde in London, taking over from Duncan James in the role of Warner. In 2009, he played the role of musically talented autistic boy named Kyle Caddick in a 6 part BBC drama series All the Small Things. Here Richard was able to combine his acting and musical ability. Within the series he performed many songs, both solo and as part of a choir. He also sang the song that runs over the end credits. He co-wrote the song with Elton John and the show’s creator Debbie Horsfield. His father, actor David Fleeshman, played the role of Gilbert in the same series. All the Small Things was screened in Australia under the title of ‘Heart and Soul’.

Fleeshman starred in the West End production of Ghost: The Musical, based on the film Ghost, written by Bruce Joel Rubin; with music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard). Richard played the lead role of Sam Wheat (played by Patrick Swayze in the film) alongside Caissie Levy as Molly and Sharon D. Clarke as Oda Mae Brown. The show premiered in the Opera House, Manchester on 28 March 2011 and moved to the Piccadilly Theatre on 22 June 2011. When Richard was offered the role for it’s Broadway transfer, he left the show in the West End with co star Caissie Levy on 12 January 2012 to star in the Broadway production, which began previews on 15 March 2012 at the Lunt Fontanne Theater and officially opened on 23 April 2012. Richard was invited to perform at the 2012 Tony Awards. Fleeshman and Levy remained in the Broadway Production until its final performance on 18 August 2012.

Music career

Fleeshman is a singer, songwriter and in 2003 he was the youngest celebrity contestant to win a Stars in Their Eyes celebrity special (at 13). He also won Soapstar Superstar in 2006 and won £200,000 for his chosen Charity, The Kirsty Appeal.

Richard also plays the piano and guitar. On 22 April 2007, he performed on the ITV1 show An Audience with Coronation Street.

Fleeshman signed a major record deal with Universal Records in 2007 and then completed writing his debut album.

In 2008, Richard was honoured to be invited by Sir Elton John to join him on his Summer stadium tour. Later that year, Sir Elton asked him back on the UK part of his Red Piano Tour. Richard is once again joining Sir Elton on his summer European Tour in June. Richard’s next release will be ‘Can You Hear Me’, the song he wrote with Elton John and Debbie Horsfield.

Albums

Year Album UK
2007 Neon 21

Singles

Year Single UK B-Sides Album
2007 "Coming Down" 28 "Sum of Us" Neon
2008 "Hold Me Close"
2008 "Back Here"
2009 "Can You Hear Me?"

Personal life

Fleeshman was born to former Brookside and Coronation Street actress Sue Jenkins and actor/director David Fleeshman. He attended Cheadle Hulme School in Cheshire and Wilmslow High School Sixth Form. He has two sisters, Emily and Rosie who are also actresses.