![]() Having reunited in 2017, Hill and Devereux found themselves unable to release new music or perform under their own name. They continue to tour under the name Artful Dodger to this day, performing the music of Hill and Devereux frequently in their sets. In 2001, Hill and Devereux parted ways due to creative differences and the trademark, name and usage rights of 'Artful Dodger' was purchased by Blessed Records.Ĭapitalising on the significant live demand for the group, The owner of Blessed Records DJ Dave Lowe accompanied by MC Alistair adopted the name, in essence creating a cover band. Hill and Devereux have won numerous accolades including the 2000 UK Producers of the Year and Ivor Novello recognition for their songwriting. The single launched David's career, landing at #2 in the UK singles chart. During this period the then unknown Craig David featured on the track " Re-Rewind". They achieved notoriety in the 1990s and early 2000s, releasing seven consecutive singles all of which charted in the United Kingdom Top 20. When Daniel Radcliffe landed the role of Harry Potter, he wrote an open letter to the teenager warning of the dangers of becoming a child star.Artful Dodger were originally a UK garage duo featuring songwriters and producers Mark Hill and Pete Devereux. Wild urged other young actors not to repeat the mistakes he desperately regretted. Jack really was cheated out of a great career." We used to call ourselves Fagin and Dodger. "We've lost a great artist and I've lost a great friend," said Moody. ![]() Wild's last film reunited him with fellow Oliver! star Ron Moody, who played Fagin, in Moussaka and Chips last year. After surgery in 2004, Harding would lip-read and speak for the star in interviews. "I had an expectation of a man who was going to be a complete ass, but when I met him he was lovely," she said. Wild met his second wife, Claire Harding, 34, when they were both appearing in panto in Worthing, East Sussex, 11 years ago. "Jack was brilliant at mime and he mimed the whole thing," said Mr Jay. Due to star as Baron Hardup in Cinderella on stage in Worcester after his operation to remove his tongue and voice-box, the play was rewritten around him. "Jack was keen to use his experience to help people understand the disease and its risk factors."ĭespite his illness, he continued to perform. "We are very saddened to hear of the death of Jack Wild," said Alex Markham, head of the charity. Although unable to speak after an operation two years ago, he worked on raising awareness of mouth cancer for Cancer Research UK. Wild admitted his heavy smoking and drinking made him a "walking time bomb" for mouth cancer. Jones, who became a backing singer for Kim Wilde and Suzi Quatro, left him in 1985 because of his alcoholism.Īfter giving up drink in 1989, Wild appeared in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner in 1991 and in the Channel 4 series Lock, Stock in 2000. He married his childhood sweetheart, Gaynor Jones, and appeared in the BBC's adaptation of Our Mutual Friend in 1976 but struggled to land other acting roles. ![]() In life as in art, Wild increasingly looked lost: he featured in Alan Parker's first movie, Melody, in 1971, and recorded three albums, but his cherubic features masked a growing struggle with alcoholism. On the back of its global success he landed the starring role in the surreal American TV series HR Pufnstuf, in which he played a boy marooned on an enchanted island. The film collected five Academy awards, although he did not win the Oscar for best supporting actor. "The chemistry between us was just something very, very special, which lasted throughout our lives," he said. Lester said Wild was like an elder brother during the making of the film. A promising footballer, he was spotted playing alongside Phil Collins by Collins' mother, June, a talent scout, and won the role of Oliver in the West End production of Lionel Bart's musical Oliver! Too old at 14 to play the lead when it came to casting the film, he became the pickpocket, the Artful Dodger, alongside Oliver Reed, Harry Secombe, Ron Moody and fellow child star Mark Lester, then nine, who played Oliver. Wild was discovered while living in Hounslow, west London, with his parents, who had been mill workers in Lancashire. ![]() You never heard him complain, even with his illness." "He wanted to be remembered as an entertainer," said his agent and friend Alex Jay yesterday. ![]()
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