More About

Pete Waterman OBE | Music

Inspired by The Beatles Pete Waterman OBE chose to follow a career in music, supplementing his income as a DJ through gravedigging and working for the General Electric Company.

Building an impressive record collection, his DJ work took him across the UK and around the world, entertaining large crowds with a blend of rhythm and blues and soul music. It was whilst working at Coventry’s Locarno Club that she met Neville Staple, who would become a vocalist for The Specials. He worked with The Three Degrees in Philadelphia, and Peter Tosh and Lee Perry in Jamaica.

In 1984, Pete set up his own company PWL (Pete Waterman Limited) alongside Matt Aitken and Mike Stock, becoming one of the most successful musical production teams of the 1980s.

He has been involved in at least 22 UK number one singles with acts such as Rick Astley, Cliff Richard, Sinitta, Jason Donovan, and Kylie Minogue.

Pete Waterman OBE | TV

As well as his music production work, Pete has also been a familiar face on our television screens. He co-presented The Hit Man and Her (1988-1992) with Michaela Strachan, judged Pop Idol (2001-03) and Popstars: The Rivals (2002), and appeared on the spoof talent show Britain’s Got the Pop Factor…and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice (2008).

Pete has an interest in trains and railways and is now a popular figure on factual television programmes, such as Waterman on Railways. He has also appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, The X Factor: Celebrity, and on adverts for the National Blood Service.

 

Pete Waterman OBE | Railways

Pete’s main interest outside of music is railways and trains, and has been involved in a range of railway ventures. In 1988 he revived the name of the London & North Western Railway, which ran LNWR (which Pete sold in 2008 to Arriva UK Trains); Waterman Railways in 1994; and LNWR Heritage in 2012, selling it two years later. He also holds his own collection of steam and diesel locomotives.

As well as real railways, he has an interest in model railways and is the founder of the model railway business ‘Just Like the Real Thing’. He has an extensive private collection of railway models and layouts, and has been building a large model of Leamington Spa railway station.

 

Pete Waterman OBE | Writing

Pete is the published author of a number of factual books, including:

– I Wish I Was Me: The Autobiography (2000)

– A Train Is For Life (2008)

– Just Like the Real Thing: Modelling Railways (2009)

– The Fame Factor (2009)

Pete Waterman OBE | Honours

– Honorary Doctor of Business Administration by Coventry University (2001)

– Honorary Doctorate in Music by University Collect Chester (2004)

– Made an OBE for Services to Music (2004)

– Patron of the City, Lambeth and Southwark Music Education Trust (2006)

– Fellowship of the Royal Northern College of Music (2016)

– Locomotive Freightliner Class 90 Named After Him (2024)

 

Pete Waterman OBE | Speaker

Pete is now a sought-after keynote speaker, bringing his charisma to dozens of events. He gives speeches on everything from:

– How to become a successful entrepreneur

– How the music business works

– Being a Pop Idol judge