14 Facts About Mark Bedford

Mark Bedford was born on 24 August 1961, in Islington, London, England.

Mark Bedford started to buy records at the age of 11 or 12.

Mark Bedford began to play bass guitar at the age of 13 in order to accompany friends who played the guitar.

Mark Bedford attended William Ellis School in Kentish Town and met members of the North London Invaders at one of their gigs.

Mark Bedford was asked to a band rehearsal and was impressed by the musicianship on display.

Mark Bedford was friends with the Invaders' drummer Gary Dovey, but after a confrontation with saxophonist Lee Thompson, Dovey left the band.

Mark Bedford brought Dan Woodgate into the band, and he was introduced as the final member of the then six-piece group which became Madness.

Mark Bedford played double bass on Robert Wyatt's recording of the Elvis Costello song "Shipbuilding" in 1982.

Mark Bedford played double bass on some tracks on the album.

Mark Bedford later teamed up with ex-Higsons brass supremo Terry Edwards, and they formed Butterfield 8 along with various members of the jazz scene at the time.

Mark Bedford took no part in the recording of Oui Oui, Si Si, Ja Ja, Da Da but he appeared in a TV advert with the group, promoting a popular beer.

Mark Bedford performed with the band on the roof of Buckingham Palace in June 2012 as part of Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Concert and for the band's appearance in August at the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony.

Since 2011, Mark Bedford has been part of The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra, a band he put together with Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson.

In 1987, Mark Bedford started a relationship with Cressida, his long-term partner.