Kevin Simm on Liberty X and Becoming Wet Wet Wet Frontman
From reality TV to the BRIT Awards, from pop pin-up to frontman of one of Britain’s best loved bands, Kevin Simm’s journey to fame has been long and winding. Pop fans will remember Kevin as one of the show’s most charismatic members of pop group Liberty X. And of course, he is also the charismatic lead vocalist of The Voice UK winner. Then in 2018, Kevin took on his most surprising role to date – as the new lead singer of Wet Wet Wet.
You know him, you love him – we do! Kevin Simm was found after he auditioned for ITV’s Popstars in 2001. Popstars was the talent search which found the members of pop group Hear’Say. Kevin wasn’t chosen as one of the popstars but later formed the group Liberty X, along with fellow Popstars contestants Tony Lundon, Jessica Taylor, Michelle Heaton and Kelli Young. Even though they aren’t a pop group anymore, their catchy pop songs from their time as a group in the early noughties still stand the test of time.
Liberty X achieved a lot. Pop songs that Kevin and the rest of the group produced reached number 1 in the singles chart for 3 consecutive weeks – ‘Just a Little’, ‘Got to Have Your Love’ and ‘Holding On for You’. Liberty X have gone on to sell over 3 million records across the world, which also saw them win Best British Single at the BRIT Awards. Wow!
The band split up and Kevin is now a star in his own right and appeared as a soloist on The Voice UK in 2016, guided by the lead singer of Kaiser Chiefs, Ricky Wilson, where he astounded viewers with his stunning soulful singing of his chosen song, a beautiful, melancholic piece that was truly soulful and heartfelt. Following all the auditions on The Voice, televised and online voting saw Kevin emerge as the winner, giving him a fantastic opportunity to introduce his amazing ability to a brand new audience.
A win in Saturday night’s The Voice would give Kevin his opportunity to sing with Wet Wet Wet. Kevin was appointed the new lead singer with Wet Wet Wet back in 2018. Wet Wet Wet are one of the UK’s most successful bands in the world, having sold over 15 million records worldwide. They have written and performed some of the most enduring and catchy songs in UK chart history, including ‘Love Is All Around’, ‘Sweet Little Mystery’, ‘Goodnight Girl’ to name just a few.
Kevin has taken over the lead singer role from original lead singer Marti Pellow and has brought a warmth and integrity to the band and their music, which is allowing old and new fans to connect with the band’s incredible repertoire.
Now, Wet Wet Wet are about to start a brand new chapter in their long and illustrious career when they embark on their 2026 UK acoustic tour – An Intimate Acoustic Evening with Wet Wet Wet. Renowned for their anthemic rock hits, this tour promises to deliver the songs fans love, but in an intimate, stripped-back and absolutely heart-wrenching way. Wet Wet Wet head to King’s Lynn and Bury St Edmunds – a bonus treat for fans in Suffolk and Norfolk.
Rachel Ducker, Editor, Bounce Magazine, spoke with Kevin Simm to talk legacy, reinvention, and the next chapter for Wet Wet Wet…
From Popstars Rejection to Liberty X Success
Rachel: Kevin, most people will remember you from Popstars. Can you tell us about your time on the show and how that led to Liberty X?
Kevin: I started singing quite late, really – I was about 15 when I first got into it. I was doing pubs and clubs and trying to get a bit of experience. Then Popstars came along, and it was actually quite accidental. I was working at Blackpool Pleasure Beach at the time, singing for the summer season, and my employers sent me down to audition.
I ended up making the final ten, but of course, they created Hear’Say from the final five. The five of us who didn’t get picked stayed friends, and we decided to form our own group – which became Liberty X. It all came from that moment, really.
Winning The Voice UK and Reigniting His Career
Rachel: Liberty X went on to have huge success, and later you won The Voice UK. Would you say that was a pivotal moment in your career?
Kevin: My career’s definitely had its ups and downs. With Liberty X, we had massive highs – winning a BRIT Award, number one singles, touring for years. But when the group ended, I went solo, and it didn’t quite work out how I’d hoped. I found myself going back to pubs and clubs, which was a big contrast.
But in a way, I’m glad I did it. It kept me grounded and reminded me how tough the industry can be. When I entered The Voice, it was because I felt I still had more to give. Winning the show didn’t instantly change everything overnight, but it did open doors. It set things in motion that eventually led me to Wet Wet Wet.
Bringing New Energy to a Legendary British Band
Rachel: How did the opportunity to join Wet Wet Wet come about?
Kevin: Completely out of the blue. I got an email from their manager about two years after The Voice. It was very vague – just saying they’d like to have a chat. I honestly thought maybe they wanted a backing singer or a support act.
When they explained they were looking for a new lead singer, I was shocked. It wasn’t something I’d ever expected, but it was an incredible opportunity.
Rachel: You stepped into the role previously held by Marti Pellow, who was such an iconic frontman. Did you feel pressure taking that on?
Kevin: I’ve got huge respect for Marti – he’s a fantastic singer and frontman. But I tried not to think about stepping into his shoes. My focus was more on doing the songs justice and connecting with the fans.
I knew I could sing the songs, but it was important to perform them in a way that felt authentic to me, while still respecting what people loved about them. You just hope fans accept you and appreciate what you bring.
Why Wet Wet Wet’s Music Still Connects Today
Rachel: You’ve brought your own audience to the band as well. Has that helped introduce Wet Wet Wet to a new generation?
Kevin: Hopefully, yes. You do see Liberty X fans coming to the shows, and it’s nice to bring new people along. At the same time, you want to honour the loyal Wet Wet Wet fans who’ve supported the band for decades. It’s about bringing both audiences together.
Music’s subjective – you can’t please everyone – but you just hope people connect with what you’re doing.
Rachel: Wet Wet Wet have stood the test of time. Why do you think their music still resonates today?
Kevin: It comes down to the songs. They’re timeless. When you play a show, people know so many of them. That’s the sign of great music.
Personally, I love performing songs like ‘Angel Eyes‘ and ‘Temptation‘. And of course, ‘Love Is All Around‘ is such an anthem – the audience always loves it.
Stripping It Back: Inside the 2026 Acoustic Tour
Rachel: Your upcoming tour is an acoustic one. What inspired that direction?
Kevin: On recent tours, we’d do a small acoustic section during the show, and it always went down really well. We really enjoyed it, and it felt fresh.
So we recorded stripped-back versions of the songs and decided to build a tour around that idea. It’s more intimate, more relaxed, and you can connect with the audience in a different way. It’s just myself and the two Grahams, and it feels very personal.
Rachel: You’re performing in King’s Lynn and Bury St Edmunds — venues closer to home for many of our readers. How does performing in smaller, more intimate venues compare to larger arenas?
Kevin: I actually prefer it. Big shows are amazing, but intimate venues allow you to connect more closely with the audience. You can see people’s reactions, and it feels more personal — almost like performing in a very large living room.
It also brings you closer as performers. Without a full band, you rely on each other more, and that creates a special energy.
What Fans Can Expect From the Acoustic Tour
Rachel: If you had to describe the acoustic tour in three words, what would they be?
Kevin: Stripped back, intimate, and honest.
Rachel: How do you hope audiences will feel when they leave the show?
Kevin: I just hope they’ve had a great night. That’s always the goal. I hope they leave feeling like they’ve experienced the songs in a new way and connected with us as performers.
And hopefully, they’ll want to come back again.
Rachel: Finally, what would you say to fans thinking about coming along?
Kevin: Just come along and enjoy it. We’ll be playing all the songs people know and love, maybe a few surprises too – and who knows, there might even be a bit of Liberty X in there.
It’ll be a great night.
Wet Wet Wet’s “An Intimate Acoustic Evening” UK tour begins in May 2026, including performances in King’s Lynn and Bury St Edmunds.
