Huge 80s star reveals ‘real reason’ he turned down ‘huge, life changing’ amount of money to do Masked Singer
EIGHTIES music icon Marc Almond turned down a life-changing amount of money to appear on The Masked Singer.
The hit ITV show – which has a US version too – has attracted big names from the music world including Dionne Warwick, Natalie Imbruglia, Joss Stone, and Russell Watson.
Pop star Rita Ora is a judge on the celebrity panel alongside Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan, as they try to work out the famous names beneath the masks.
But Tainted Love singer Marc, 66, who is best known for being one half of new wave pioneers Soft Cell, said the show was not for him.
And the Tainted Love singer shared that he’d already turned down numerous offers.
He told Classic Pop magazine: “If I was to think in those terms, I’d take one of the huge offers I get from The Masked Singer.
“The sums are life-changing: very, very nice offers. It’s just not for me.”
He continued: “I’m not rich, but my records have let me be able to live the life I want to live, so I don’t need to do The Masked Singer.”
If Marc accepted the offer, he would be joining the list of celebs from UK soul sensation Joss Stone, 37, Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts, 38, to Ab Fab legend Jennifer Saunders, 65 who have taken part on the show.
However, the Say Hello, Wave Goodbye vocalist is adamant he will not be taking part on the show, expressing to the magazine: “I’m not putting the show down.
“It’s always flattering to be asked, I’m just not very good at being that kind of entertainer.”
Soft Cell’s signature song Tainted Love was originally recorded by soul singer Gloria Jones, 78, in 1964.
The song gained worldwide attention in 1981 when the synth-pop stars reworked and covered the song, who won a Brit-Award that same year for Best Single.
Marc had a string of successful singles and albums as 1/2 of the new wave duo, as well as a solo artist, selling a total of over 30 million records globally.
MARC’S PHENOMENAL CAREER
Marc’s incredible career spans five decades.
He formed Soft Cell with fellow Leeds Polytechnic student David Ball, 65, back in 1978.
Soft Cell had 12 top 40 hits – and catapulted to fame in 1981 with Tainted Love from their platinum-selling debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret.
It reached number-five on the UK Official Album Charts and the success continued with the song Bedsitter which climbed to number-four that same year.
The following singles Say Hello, Wave Goodbye and What both reached number-three on the Official UK Singles Chart in 1982.
The pioneers would release a plethora of critically and commercially acclaimed albums, including 1983’s The Art of Falling Part, 1984’s This Last Night in Sodom in 1984, before splitting up that same year.
The music duo split in 1984 – but reunited 17 years later in 2001 to release a new album and new music.
As a solo artist, Marc released his solo debut album Vermin in Ermine in October 1984, which made it onto the UK top 40 album charts in 1984, followed by numerous acclaimed solo albums spanning over the last three decades.
His duet with the late American singer-songwriter Gene Pitney reached the number-one spot back in 1989.
Soft Cell excited fans after reuniting in 2001, and releasing the album Cruelty Without Beauty in 2002.
In 2004, Marc was in a motorbike crash which almost killed him and left him with head injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.
SOFT CELL’S IMPACT
In 2022, Soft Cell reunited to release their first studio album in 20 years, *Happiness Not Included.
The genre-defying duo have have been cited as an influence for generations of bands and artists alike who incorporate the music outlets unique blend of punk, techno music and Northern soul.
Their long list of influences ranges from 90s US rock titans Nine Inch Nails to pop superstar Rihanna, 36, who’s music producer, J. R. Rotem, used Tainted Love as a sample on the pop queen’s 2006 chart topping anthem, S.O.S.
MARC IN RECENT YEARS
In recent years, The Brit Award winners outstanding contribution to music has been recognised by many notable music industry entities.
He won a prestigious Ivor Novello Inspiration Award in 2013, and in March 2018, Marc was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire [OBE] for his services to culture and the arts.
In September 2018, Soft Cell reunited again, but this time for a farewell concert in London’s 02 arena and stated that it would be their last UK performance as the duo may perform overseas.
The performance marked 40 years to the day the duo met as ambitious school students.
Marc still records music and lives between Barcelona, Moscow and London.