Nicki French

Nicki French is a British pop singer best known for her 1995 dance cover of “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” which reached the Top 5 in both the UK and US charts. She is also known for representing the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000. Her upbeat dance music style and powerful vocals made her a prominent UK singer in the 1990s. She continues to entertain audiences worldwide. 

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Nicki French was born Nicola Sharon French on 26 September 1964 in Carlisle, Cumbria, England. Her family moved to Tenterden in Kent when she was four years old. She grew up in a musical household. Her father played drums and her mother played violin. From a young age, French showed a talent for singing. She gave her first public performance at age seven and later won a local talent contest in her teens. During high school, she attended West Kent College in Tonbridge to study Music and Drama, where she starred in a college production of Oklahoma! to great reviews. 

After college, French began working in the music industry as a session singer and backing vocalist. In the 1980s she was part of a short-lived musical duo humorously named “Whisky and Sofa,” which released a novelty single called “Dirty Den” in 1986. Although that song did not achieve mainstream success, it gave her first taste of recording. Through the late 1980s and early 1990s, French paid her dues by singing in bands, pubs, and clubs. She provided backing vocals for other artists. Notably she contributed to Irish singer Rose-Marie’s 1992 album Emotional Exposure. These years of experience as a session vocalist helped French hone her craft and set the stage for her big break in music.

Breakthrough with “Total Eclipse of the Heart”

Nicki French’s breakthrough came in 1994 when producer Mike Stock asked her to record a high-energy dance cover of Bonnie Tyler’s hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Released internationally in 1995, French’s version became a massive worldwide hit. The single climbed to No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart and reached No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, spending six months on the American chart. It also earned a silver certification in the UK for selling over 250,000 copies. The song was a crossover success. It topped the charts in multiple countries including Japan, Canada, Spain, and Brazil. In total, French’s dance remake of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” sold over five million copies worldwide, firmly establishing her as an international dance music star.

On the heels of that single’s success, French released her debut album Secrets in the summer of 1995. Produced by Mike Stock and Matt Aitken, Secrets featured her hit cover along with original songs and other covers. The album performed well in various markets. It even sold over 50,000 copies in its first week of release in the United States. However, French’s subsequent singles did not match the explosive success of “Total Eclipse.” Her follow-up single, a cover of “For All We Know,” only reached No. 42 on the UK chart in 1995. In 1997, French released her second album, French Revolution, which included tracks she co-wrote. That album saw modest success in countries like Japan and Brazil, but by the late 1990s French found herself without a record label due to industry changes. Nevertheless, her one major hit had made her a household name on the dance-pop scene.

Eurovision Song Contest 2000

In 2000, Nicki French achieved a lifelong dream by representing the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Her entry was the upbeat pop track “Don’t Play That Song Again,” written by John Springate and Gerry Shephard. French won the UK’s Song for Europe national selection, beating seven other finalists after a public vote on BBC TV and radio. At the Eurovision final in Stockholm, she delivered an energetic performance of the song before a huge international audience. While the entry did not win the contest, it reached No. 34 on the UK Singles Chart shortly afterward. French ultimately finished in 16th place at Eurovision 2000. At the time, this was the lowest placing ever for a UK act in the competition, marking a disappointing result for the nation.

Despite the outcome, French has fondly described her Eurovision experience as “the most magical week of my life,” and it boosted her profile in Europe. She gained many new fans, especially in Sweden where the contest was held. The UK delegation even won an award for throwing the best party during Eurovision week. In the years following Eurovision, French was invited to perform at several international events and Euro fan gatherings. Notably, she was a headline act at Stockholm Pride in 2001 and returned to Sweden to perform with a live band in 2003. Her Eurovision song also had enduring appeal, inspiring French to later record updated versions. Two decades later, she would revisit “Don’t Play That Song Again” and other favorites on a special EP marking the 20th anniversary of her Eurovision appearance.

Stage and Acting Roles

Following her pop chart success, Nicki French expanded into musical theatre and stage acting, combining her singing talents with acting skills. In the mid-2000s she joined the cast of Menopause the Musical in London, initially as an understudy, and eventually toured the UK and Ireland playing three of the show’s four principal roles. French also took part in a national tour of the beloved musical Annie, in which she impressively performed up to eight different character roles in each show. Her stage resume grew to include portraying the legendary Ethel Merman in a one-woman tribute called Gee, But It’s Good to Be Here. She also acted in plays like Ira Levin’s thriller Deathtrap (playing the clairvoyant Helga ten Dorp). By taking on these varied theatre roles, French proved her versatility beyond pop singing.

French has also become a popular fixture in the UK’s annual pantomime season each winter. She has starred in many family-friendly pantomime productions across Britain, often cast as a fairy godmother, good queen, or delightfully wicked villainess. Over the years she has played roles such as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, the Ice Queen in Santa Claus – The Musical, and the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. Audiences and critics have praised her engaging stage presence in these shows. French loves the campy, fun nature of pantomime and has even performed in her hometown of Carlisle during the holidays. 

Television Appearances

Throughout her career, Nicki French has been a familiar face on British television. During the height of her music success in the 1990s, she appeared on many TV programs to promote her songs. These included performances on the iconic Top of the Pops, as well as guest spots on morning shows like GMTV and entertainment programs like The Big Breakfast. French’s bubbly personality and media savvy also led to appearances on children’s and game shows – from Nickelodeon and Newsround to music-themed quizzes.

One of French’s most notable TV moments came in 2003 when she took part in a special Eurovision edition of the BBC game show The Weakest Link. Competing alongside other Eurovision stars, she demonstrated quick wit and pop music knowledge. French ultimately won the show and was declared the “Strongest Link,” earning £13,000 for the cancer charity she was supporting. This victory was especially meaningful to her, as she had lost her father to cancer a few years earlier. French’s ease in front of the camera has also opened opportunities for her as a presenter on various music and nostalgia programs. Her frequent television appearances over the years helped keep her in the public eye beyond her initial musical fame.

Later Career and Recent Work

Nicki French continued to record dance-pop tracks and tour nightclubs around Europe. In 2004 she released the single “I Surrender,” followed by “Calling Out My Name” in 2005. Songs that kept her connected to the Eurodance genre. A decade later, French reignited her recording career by reuniting with producer Mike Stock. In 2015 she released “This Love,” a fresh dance anthem that became a popular summer club track and Pride festival theme song. The success of that single led French back to Energise Records, where she launched a new phase of her music career. Her 2017 single “Teardrops (On the Disco Floor)” shot to No. 1 on the iTunes Vocal chart. Its 2018 follow-up “Steal the Crown” became one of the fastest-selling releases on the label. Both songs were featured on her 2018 album Glitter to the Neon Lights, which marked French’s first full-length album in over a decade.

In recent years, French has embraced her status as a beloved retro and Eurovision icon. She frequently performs at `80s revival concerts, dance music festivals, and Eurovision fan events. In April 2023, she released a special album titled Eurovision, featuring her cover versions of classic Eurovision Song Contest hits. This project celebrated her enduring connection to the contest and introduced her voice to a new generation of Eurovision enthusiasts. To this day, the UK singer continues to tour both at home and abroad, delighting crowds with her signature hits and upbeat stage shows. Whether she is singing at a pride celebration or headlining a nostalgia night, Nicki French’s infectious energy and dance-pop anthems keep audiences on their feet. Her later career highlights her longevity and adaptability in the entertainment industry.

Personal Life

Nicki French’s personal life reflects her grounded upbringing and passion for music. She was born into a close-knit, musical family. Her parents Joseph and Eileen encouraged her love of music from childhood. French married musician Gavin Mallett in July 1993 at St. Mildred’s Church in her hometown of Tenterden. Though they later divorced after several years of marriage, the experience coincided with some of her peak career moments in the mid-1990s. French does not often seek the spotlight for her private life, preferring to let her work speak for itself. She has involved herself in charitable causes over the years, such as raising funds for cancer research through her game show win. Now in her 60s, Nicki French remains based in the UK and continues to devote herself to the music and performances that she loves.