25 Facts About Will Champion

William Champion was born on 31 July 1978 and is an English musician and songwriter.

Will Champion is best known as the drummer and percussionist of the rock band Coldplay.

Will Champion's energetic drumming style is largely focused on the essential elements of the songs and he occasionally takes lead vocal duties on live performances.

Will Champion has won seven Grammy Awards, nine Brit Awards and an honorary degree as Doctor of Music for contributing to Coldplay.

William Champion was born on 31 July 1978 in Southampton, Hampshire, England, being the second child of archaeology lecturers Timothy and Sara Champion.

Will Champion was raised in the Highfield suburb of the town, close to the University of Southampton, where his parents worked.

Will Champion's studies began at Portswood Primary School, later continuing at Cantell School and Peter Symonds College.

Will Champion used to play cricket for Chandler's Ford CC alongside his older brother and they went to the Highfield Church regularly.

Will Champion took part in a group called Fat Hamster.

Will Champion's upbringing influenced him to start lessons on multiple instruments, including violin and piano from the age of eight, guitar at 12, and eventually bass and tin whistle.

However, Will Champion did not always enjoy the classes, since he could not read music and played the songs from memory: "I watched my teacher's hand on the piano, memorized it, and ended up doing it myself".

Will Champion attended work experience at Nuffield Theatre's box office and backstage when he was 14 years old.

Will Champion's education continued in University College London, where he attained a 2:1 degree in anthropology and met Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman, eventually forming Coldplay.

Will Champion worked as a doorman at a bar run by Ricky Gervais while studying.

Will Champion was the last performing member to join the band in 1998.

Will Champion explained that Martin, Buckland and Berryman came to his house because a roommate had a drum kit and was a good drummer, but he had not turned up, "so I just said I'd give it a go".

Will Champion guested on a-ha keyboardist Magne Furuholmen's debut album, Past Perfect Future Tense, along with Berryman.

Will Champion made a guest appearance as one of the Red Wedding musicians in the "Rains of Castamere" episode from Game of Thrones, which aired on 2 June 2013.

Will Champion is known to support food and wine magazine Noble Rot as well, becoming an investor in their namesake restaurants.

Will Champion has provided him a variety of custom maple sets over the years.

Will Champion listed Klaxons, Arcade Fire and hip hop amid his references, while the Pogues' second album is his favourite of all time.

Will Champion is a longtime supporter of Southampton FC and has owned a season ticket for many years.

Will Champion's funeral was arranged for the same day Coldplay had to shoot the music video for "Yellow", hence why only Martin appeared on it.

When questioned about fame, Will Champion said he loves that after playing stadiums around the world, he can "disappear" back to his children and wife.

Will Champion's backing vocals were included in the title track of Everyday Life, becoming Champion's favourite piece of music from the album.