Just Jake
Dancing on Ice winner and Reality TV finalist Jake Quickenden talks to Craig Hough about his career and upcoming, stripped-back performance at The ABode Chester
You have recently made your musical theatre debut performing in Hair. What made you take up the challenge of musical theatre and how does it differ from anything else youโve done?
I just like testing myself, I donโt like doing the same thing. Itโs great that I can always go back to music and acting, after doing reality TV. For me itโs all about that test, to see if I can actually do it and succeed without the years of training. At the end of the day, the people who Iโm working with are so talented and go to schools through years of training and I come in with no training and have to work extra hard to prove myself to these people. Itโs gone really well, itโs been a lot harder than I thought it would be Iโm not going to lie, I thought it would be easier. Like Dancing on Ice, itโs been really hard work but it has been a challenge that Iโve really enjoyed.
Whatโs the story of Hair?
We play a group of hippies who love getting high but have been drafted into the Vietnam war and Claude (played by Paul Wilkins) is torn between staying with our tribe or going to war. Thatโs the pretty much the plot. Thereโs plenty more to see, including my naked scene. Iโm pretty much in a thong for the whole thing, which weirdly I donโt actually mind.
You play George Berger in Hair, how would you describe him?
Heโs an absolute lunatic. When I went to the audition I was just chatting rubbish like I usually do, and they were like itโs good that youโre already in character. Heโs a bit of a loose cannon and the leader of the tribe. Heโs scared of the tribe breaking up and just wants to be young and have fun. Pretty much the same as me.
Switching gears slightly. Your career really kicked off after appearing on X-Factor. How was that experience for you starting out as a lad from Scunthorpe that played football to appearing on one of the UKโs biggest TV shows?
I think when you go for a show like X-Factor you donโt think about how many people are watching, you just think about the fact itโs a talent contest. I never expected to go as far as I did, so every round I was getting through I was thinking โthis is funnyโ. From the audition to performing in front of millions of people - itโs pretty daunting, especially as I wouldnโt class myself as a singer. Singing was just something I enjoyed doing. As you said, I played football before, the music was never really there for me, I just always enjoyed it. Without the X-Factor I wouldnโt be where I am today so Iโm super grateful for the experience. I know theyโre doing an All Stars series, so Simon if youโre listening - Iโm ready to come back. Iโm all about the challenge and feel Iโd be better this time as Iโd know what Iโd want to do and the type of music Iโd like to sing. Iโd like to go on and prove to all the people who didnโt think I was any good that I can actually sing.
You were runner-up on another of ITVโs main shows Iโm a Celebrity. Looking back, how much of a challenge was that for you? What were the highs and lows?
If Iโm totally honest, I didnโt find it hard at all. In fact, I found it quite easy. I literally just lay in a hammock, it was so chilled. Obviously, we had the trials, but again, I enjoy the challenge, itโs like something else takes over me and I just want to win. The scariest thing for me was going in and seeing all these celebrities and thereโs me from the X-Factor sat there thinking โthis is madโ. I just really enjoyed the experience.
You were crowned King of the Ice Rink on Dancing On Ice last year. What was going through your head as you were announced the winner?
I thought thank God Iโve finally won a reality show. Iโve done that many I thought โIโve got to win this oneโ. It was nice because I knew how much work weโd put into it. We were never off the ice rink, we were always on there, eight hours a day messing around and trying new stuff. I wanted to do the headbanger in week two and my partner Vanessa was like โweโre not ready yetโ. I just wanted to push myself. So when I finally got crowned it was like all the hard work played off. It was just nice to win, Iโve got that achievement for the rest of my life now.
As this interview sits in our travel issue of the magazine, what is the most luxurious hotel destination youโve stayed in?
Obviously, the Versace hotel that I stayed in once I came out of Iโm a Celebrity, it was stunning. I travel to Ibiza a lot with friends as I like a party holiday. Last year I went to Aberton Island in Greece which was a nice villa in a nice resort. If Iโm with the right people, I can have a good time anywhere.
You are all set to play the ABode in Chester on 6 September. What can people expect from your set?
Itโs going to just be me and my guitar. I think people will be surprised by my voice, stripped back. When I do these kinds of gigs, people are like โYouโve actually got a really good voice, I didnโt expect thatโ. Iโll do a few original tracks to show off my songwriting. Itโll be acoustic music which I love to listen to which will fit in perfectly into a lovely venue like the ABode. With the intimate setting, Iโm hoping guests will get to know me a little better, itโll be more personal and better than a larger gig. Itโs the kind of gig I like doing.
Jake Quickenden plays ABode Chester on 6 September with tickets available at www.abodechester.co.uk
Quickfire Questions
X-Factor or Dancing On Ice?
Dancing On Ice.
Dancing On Ice Or Iโm a Celebrity?
Dancing On Ice obviously- I won!
Favourite X-Factor performance?
My audition was the best, but it was my nail in the coffin as I couldnโt top it. I peaked too soon.
Simon Cowell or Jason Gardiner?
I like Jason. He came to watch Hair the musical and we went for a pint after. Heโs a lovely guy.
Musical youโd like to perform in?
Iโd love to do Wicked on the West End.
TV show youโd like to appear on?
Bear Grylls: The Island, SAS: Who Dares Wins or Hunted.
Person youโd most like to duet with?
Ed Sheeran.
Abode Chester
Grosvenor Road, Chester, CH1 2DJ
t: 01244 347 000 e: info@abodechester.co.uk w: abodechester.co.uk
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