Chesney Hawkes Bio, Age, Height, Net Worth, Tour, Wife & Facts
Chesney Hawkes is the British pop-rock singer-songwriter and actor who became a global ’90s icon thanks to his chart-topping hit “The One and Only.” Born in Windsor, Berkshire, Hawkes shot to fame at 19 and has remained a beloved figure on UK tours, reality TV, and nostalgia festivals ever since.
Quick bio
| Full Name | Chesney Lee Hawkes |
| Profession / Occupation | Singer-songwriter, actor, record producer |
| Birth Date | 22 September 1971 |
| Age | 54 (as of 31 Dec 2025) |
| Birth Place | Windsor, Berkshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Famous For | No. 1 single “The One and Only” (1991) |
| Known For | Film Buddy’s Song, 90s nostalgia tours |
| Ethnicity | White English |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Height & Weight | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) ≈ 78 kg (172 lb) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Education | Charters School, Sunningdale; weekend stage school |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Marital Status / Spouse | Married to Kristina Hawkes (m. 1997) |
| Children | 3 (Casey, Indi, Sonny) |
| Relatives | Father: Len “Chip” Hawkes (The Tremeloes) |
| Hobbies | Song-writing, golf, Chelsea FC, retro gaming |
| Employer / Organization | Self-employed; Cherry Red Records |
| Years Active | 1990 – present |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | USD $2–3 million (2025) |
Early Life & Education
Chesney Lee Hawkes was born on 22 September 1971 at King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor. His mother, Carol (née Dilworth), was a session singer, and his father, Len “Chip” Hawkes, played bass for chart-toppers The Tremeloes. Music filled the family home, and Chesney and his two sisters grew up jamming on whatever instruments were lying around. He attended Charters School in Sunningdale, where teachers remember him drumming on desks, then weekend stage school in London where he learned guitar, piano, and basic acting technique.
Career Journey
1990 – 1992: Breakthrough with “The One and Only”
At 18 Hawkes landed the lead in the British film Buddy’s Song alongside Roger Daltrey. The movie’s theme, “The One and Only,” written by Nik Kershaw, rocketed to No. 1 in the UK (March 1991) and cracked the Top 10 in 16 countries, selling 4 million copies worldwide. Debut album Buddy’s Song went platinum in the UK.
1993 – 1999: Second Album & Label Shifts
Follow-up singles “Secrets of the Heart” and “What’s Wrong with This Picture?” reached the UK Top 40, but Chrysalis Records was swallowed in label restructuring. Hawkes self-financed the LP Metropolis, showcasing a harder rock edge; limited distribution curtailed sales, yet the single “Black Velvet” became a cult club favorite in Europe.
2000 – 2010: Reality TV & Touring
He re-entered public view via Hit Me Baby One More Time (ITV, 2005) and The Big Reunion (2013) with the ’90s super-group 5th Story. Constant summer festivals, Butlins residencies, and university “Freshers” gigs kept Hawkes on stage 150 nights a year.
2011 – Present: Independent Releases & Musicals
Self-released albums Real Life Love (2012) and The 31st (2021) charted inside the UK Independent Top 20. He co-wrote songs for German pop star Yvonne Catterfeld and toured the UK in the musical Yesterday Once More (The Carpenters story). 2025 sees a 35-date “One & Only” acoustic tour and new EP recorded at Rockfield Studios.
Personal Life
Hawkes met Kristina “Kris” Scales, a marketing assistant at BMG, while promoting his second single. They married in 1997 and live in a 17th-century cottage in Surrey with their three children—Casey (b. 1999), Indi (b. 2002), and Sonny (b. 2006). Offstage he coaches his son’s youth-football team, collects vintage Game Boys, and holds a 12-handicap at Sunningdale Golf Club. The family supports Shelter and local food-bank drives each Christmas.
Awards & Achievements
• Ivor Novello nomination – Best Contemporary Song (“The One and Only”) 1992
• Brit Award nomination – British Breakthrough Act 1992
• UK No. 1 Single – 16 consecutive weeks in chart, 1991
• Platinum Disc – Buddy’s Song album (BPI)
• PRS Award – 3 million UK radio plays, 2011
• Guinness World Record – “Longest non-stop karaoke relay” participant, 2022
Physical Statistics
| Height | 6 ft 0 in | 183 cm |
| Weight | 172 lb | 78 kg |
| Chest | 41 in | 104 cm |
| Waist | 34 in | 86 cm |
| Shoe (UK) | 10 | 44 EU |
Quotes
- “I’ve sung ‘The One and Only’ over 3,000 times, and every night I remember the 19-year-old kid who thought it might be his only shot.”
- “Nostalgia isn’t a dirty word—if a three-minute pop song can take you back to your first kiss, that’s magic.”
- “My dad taught me that the bass player is the glue; that lesson works for life as well as music.”
Controversies
Hawkes has largely avoided scandal. In 2006 U.K. tabloids claimed he was “living on benefits,” but he successfully sued for libel, donating the undisclosed payout to The Prince’s Trust. In 2020 he apologized after swearing during a live-stream family gig when his guitar strap snapped; fans laughed it off as “rock-and-roll Dad.”
Salary & Net Worth
Chesney Hawkes earns an estimated USD $250–300 k annually from touring (100-150 shows), royalties, merchandise, and musical-theatre stints. Music-publishing experts value his share of “The One and Only” at roughly £1.2 million in cumulative PRS income since 1991. Combined with property assets in Surrey, his net worth is placed at USD $2–3 million in 2025 by industry analysts at WealthyPersons and Celebrity Net Worth.
Interesting Facts
• Chesney’s first instrument was the drums—he played in his dad’s covers band at 12.
• He turned down the role of “Sandy” in a 1993 West End Grease revival to focus on songwriting.
• The name Chesney came from his mum’s favorite character in the radio serial The Archers.
• He holds a black belt in Taekwondo, earned while preparing for a 1999 martial-arts film that never materialized.
• A keen mod, he owns five vintage Lambretta scooters.
Social Media Links
• Instagram: @chesneyhawkesofficial (≈ 42 k followers)
• Twitter/X: @ChesneyHawkes (≈ 55 k followers)
• Facebook: facebook.com/chesneyhawkes (≈ 110 k likes)
• YouTube: ChesneyHawkesVEVO (≈ 28 k subs)
• TikTok: @chesneyhawkes (≈ 19 k followers)
• Official site: chesneyhawkes.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Chesney Hawkes a one-hit wonder?
A: While “The One and Only” remains his signature, he has released six studio albums and tours constantly, so he prefers “lifelong musician” to “one-hit wonder.”
Q: Did Chesney Hawkes write “The One and Only”?
A: No—it was written by Nik Kershaw; Hawkes performed it for the film Buddy’s Song.
Q: Where does Chesney Hawkes live now?
A: He resides in Surrey, England, in a converted 17th-century cottage near his childhood hometown.
Q: Is Chesney Hawkes still married?
A: Yes, he and wife Kristina have been married since 1997.
Q: What is Chesney Hawkes’ net worth?
A: Industry estimates place it between USD $2 million and $3 million in 2025.
Q: Will Chesney Hawkes tour in 2025?
A: Yes—his “One & Only” acoustic tour runs March–November 2025 with 35 U.K. dates announced.
Conclusion
From teenage pin-up to respected touring troubadour, Chesney Hawkes has parlayed one gigantic hit into a three-decade career built on charm, work ethic, and an undeniably catchy anthem. If this trip down memory lane struck a chord, share the article with fellow 90s music fans and keep “The One and Only” spinning!
