The Streets’ iconic debut album Original Pirate Material is 20 years old today (March 25).
Original Pirate Material was released on March 25, 2020 and was subsequently nominated for awards following its critically acclaimed release.
Since then, The Streets have released hit albums including A Grand Don’t Come For Free, before taking a break and reuniting in 2018.
Away from music, front man Mike Skinner’s life has been just as interesting – including branching out into film work and forming a close friendship with a huge This Morning star.
To celebrate the anniversary of The Streets’ Original Pirate Material album, Daily Star takes a look inside Mike Skinner’s life, from his health battle to friendship with Holly Willoughby.
The Streets to The Inbetweeners
(Image: PA)
The Streets gained critical and commercial acclaim when they released their debut album Original Pirate Material in 2002, followed by smash hit A Grand Don’t Come For Free in 2004.
Although Mike Skinner rose to fame with The Streets, the musician has also branched out into other music and film projects too since then.
In 2010, the singer and rapper wrote the soundtrack for hit film The Inbetweeners, featuring 10 original compositions by the star.
Not only that, but he also branched out into acting himself, appearing in Doctor episode The Time Of The Angels as a security guard in 2011.
(Image: Publicity Picture)
Four years previously in 2007, Mike had also hosted a late night programme called Beat Stevie on Channel 4.
However he has since returned to music, working on projects including D.O.T with musician Rob Harvey in 2011, and releasing music with a rap supergroup featuring musicians including Big Narstie from 2015-2017.
Most recently, Mike reunited with The Streets for a tour in 2019, with the group releasing the single How Longs It Been.
In 2020 he also released None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive, a mixtape full of guest spots from young stars.
Health battle and tragic loss
(Image: DPA/PA Images)
Although The Streets had global success, Mike Skinner has spoken openly about suffering with his mental health while at the height of the group’s fame.
Speaking to Q Magazine, Mike revealed that he had suffered anxiety and depression during that time, saying: “Every day in The Streets was scary because you feel totally out of control.
“Anxiety, paranoia and general fear. That’s what my 20s were like. Whereas my 30s were closer to depression.”
(Image: WireImage for White Company)
He added: “You try and push yourself through this feeling of existential depression. I’m not trying to say one is worse than the other. It just feels different.”
He also revealed in a 2020 interview with The Guardian that his father died from a long illness around the time that his career with The Streets was taking off, reflecting on the wisdom that his father had passed onto him from a young age, saying: “Only someone who has had a previous marriage, children, literally at the end of their life, could teach little things like that.”
Holly Willoughby bond
(Image: mirror.co.uk)
One of the famous stars to appear in a Streets music video was none other than This Morning host Holly Willoughby.
The presenter appeared in The Street’s 2006 music video for When You Wasn’t Famous – with the stars becoming close friends ever since.
Speaking about the cameo to Red Stripe presents: This Feeling TV recently, Holly explained: “I love The Streets – Mikey [Skinner] is a genius! I actually appeared in the music video for When You Wasn’t Famous.”
She added: “The song is about waking up next to somebody, then seeing them on Saturday morning TV looking all squeaky and clean – but we kind of know what they got up to the night before.”
(Image: Redferns)
The duo have been spotted out and about together on numerous occasions, with Holly posting sweet snaps of her and Mike together on Instagram.
The presenter also supported The Streets when they embarked on their reunion tour from 2018-2019.
Holly is also close friends with Mike’s wife Claire Skinner, and even revealed that her daughter and Mike’s son have a crush on one another, saying: “Mike’s kids are the same age as mine.
“Belle actually has a bit of a thing for Georgie Skinner, as does Georgie for her.”
Stunning wife
(Image: Nick Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)
Mike Skinner has been married to his wife Claire Le Marquand since 2010, and two years before in 2008, was delighted to share the news that they were expecting their first child together.
Their daughter Amelia was later born in 2009.
At the time, a source told The Sun: “Mike is delighted. He can’t wait to be a dad.
“He says this is the best Christmas gift ever. He is doting on Claire and making sure she puts her feet up at home.”
Claire Le Marquand is a successful entrepreneur and also has a beautiful jewellery range, which This Morning host and close friend Holly Willoughby can regularly be seen wearing when she’s on the television.
Both Claire and Holly also share photos of them spending time with one another on Instagram too, with Claire hugging the presenter and saying in one snap: “When @hollywilloughby is in North London.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
