22 Facts About Feargal Sharkey

Sean Feargal Sharkey was born on 13 August 1958 and is a singer and environmentalist from Northern Ireland.

Feargal Sharkey was the lead vocalist of punk band the Undertones in the 1970s and 1980s and a solo artist in the 1980s and 1990s.

Feargal Sharkey's 1985 solo single "A Good Heart" was a number-one hit in the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

Feargal Sharkey has become a figurehead for the campaign to prevent water companies dumping sewage into UK waterways and coasts.

Feargal Sharkey, who was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, joined the Undertones shortly after their formation in 1975.

The band split in 1983 citing musical differences, with Feargal Sharkey pursuing a solo career and other members of the band forming That Petrol Emotion the following year.

Feargal Sharkey's debut single was a collaboration with Madness member Cathal Smyth titled "Listen to Your Father".

Feargal Sharkey had a UK Top 5 hit in 1986 with "You Little Thief".

Feargal Sharkey was appointed a member of the Radio Authority for five years from December 1998 to December 2003.

Feargal Sharkey became chairman of the UK Government task force the 'Live Music Forum' in 2004, to evaluate the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on the performance of live music, and gave public evidence before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 11 November 2008.

In 2008, Feargal Sharkey was appointed as the CEO of British Music Rights, replacing Emma Pike.

Feargal Sharkey has become prominent in criticising the use of Form 696 by the Metropolitan Police' requiring event promoters to provide data on performers and audiences.

In 2011, Feargal Sharkey made a one-off appearance in a set named Erasure + Special Guests, singing "Never Never".

Feargal Sharkey stated that he had not sung live for 20 years and that Vince Clarke was the only person he would have returned for.

Feargal Sharkey appeared on BBC Newcastle, interviewed by Simon Logan on the afternoon show on 7 August 2013.

In 2004, Feargal Sharkey was awarded the "Scott Piering Award", by the radio industry for "recognising achievement in the promotion of music and the understanding of the music industry to their colleagues in radio".

Feargal Sharkey is the only member of the Radio Authority to have been honoured in this way by the radio industry.

In 2008, Feargal Sharkey was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts, by the University of Hertfordshire in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music.

Feargal Sharkey was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to music.

Feargal Sharkey is a lifelong fly fisherman and has campaigned against the pollution of British rivers, and the regulations of the water industry which affect British water resources.

Feargal Sharkey gave the keynote address at The Rivers Trust Autumn Conference 2018.

Feargal Sharkey has subsequently become a figurehead for the campaign to prevent water companies dumping untreated sewage into UK waterways and coasts, appearing on television news coverage and gathering a large following on Twitter, as well as supporting The Times' campaign to "clean it up".