Jess Glynne: Everything you need to know about the 'Hold My Hand' singer

She's released her third album 'Jess'.

Jess Glynne
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 20th Oct 2024

Jess Glynne rose to the top of the charts back in 2015 with her song 'Hold My Hand', and has seen huge success with massive hits like 'Don't Be So Hard on Yourself' and 'I'll Be There'. In 2024 the singer shows no signs of slowing down, releasing her third album 'Jess' and singles 'Promise Me' and 'Enough'.

Jess had a stratospheric rise to fame after appearing on Clean Bandit's track 'Rather Be' and on Route 94's 'My Love' in 2014 — and she has now firmly established herself as one of the biggest artists around, following her 2024 summer tour. We find out more about singer, Jess Glynne...

Who is Jess Glynne?

Jess Glynne is a British singer. She burst onto the music scene in 2014 with her debut song 'Right Here' which reached Number 6 in the UK.

How old is Jess Glynne?

Jess Glynne's birthday is 20th October 1989, making her currently 35-years-old.

Is Jess Glynne going on tour?

Jess has just completed a summer tour for 2024, but is continuing to tour across America this Autumn.

Where is Jess Glynne from?

Jess is a Londoner! She was born in Hampstead and raised in Muswell Hill.

Has Jess Glynne covered Beyoncé?

Jess hasn't released an official cover of Beyoncé's song 'Break My Soul', however she did share a funny video of herself singing a version of Beyoncé's hit. The video was the singer's first social media post for three years back in August 2022.

When is Jess Glynne releasing new music?

Jess has been releasing tracks throughout 2024, including 'Promise Me', 'Enough' and a collab with Alok called 'Summer's Back'.

Jess' song 'Friend Of Mine', was released on her 34th birthday in October 2023. Speaking about the track, Jess said: "This song really is about learning from your mistakes and growing from them. Life isn’t perfect, we all mess up along the way and have moments where we have felt silly, but what matters is picking yourself up and not being too hard on yourself."

After a three year break, Jess returned to music releasing 'Silly Me' back in April 2023. The song was about learning from your mistakes and moving on. In August 2023, Jess followed this up with the track 'What Do You Do?', which was accompanied with a music video filmed in New York City.

How many albums has Jess Glynne released?

Jess has been behind three records so far: 'I Cry When I Laugh' (2015), 'Always In Between' (2018) and 'Jess' (2024).

'I Cry When I Laugh'

Her debut record was released in August 2015, featuring singles like 'Right Here', 'Real Love', 'Hold My Hand', 'Don't Be So Hard on Yourself' and 'Ain't Got Far to Go'. It reached Number 1 in the UK albums charts and it's been certified 5x Platinum in the UK - translating to a whopping 1.5 million sales!

'Always In Between'

Released in October 2018, Jess' follow-up album 'Always In Between' also peaked at the top spot and had hits like 'I'll Be There' and 'Thursday'. It's been certified Platinum by the BPI.

'Jess'

Her third album 'Jess' was released in April 2024, featuring singles 'Silly Me', 'What Do You Do?', 'Friend of Mine', 'Enough' and 'Easy'.

Is Jess in a relationship?

She certainly is! Jess and former England footballer Alex Scott have confirmed they are in a relationship together. On Jess' 34th birthday in October 2023, Alex shared an Instagram Story of a photo of Jess, which Jess then shared her own Story.

Has Jess Glynne won a BRIT Award?

Jess has been nominated for a number of BRIT Awards over the years, but unfortunately never won one. She was nominated in 2015 for three awards, including two in the same category. 'Rather Be' and 'My Love' were both nominated for British Single of the Year, and 'My Love' was also nominated for British Video of the Year.

Then, in the following year, Jess was once again nominated for three BRIT Awards, 'Hold My Hand' was up for British Single of the Year, while the singer herself was up for British Breakthrough Act and British Female Solo Artist.

After a break of three years, Jess was once again nominated for three more BRIT Awards in 2019, this time British Video of the Year for 'These Days', British Single of the Year for 'I'll Be There' and British Female Solo Artist.

Although not an official BRIT Award associated with the ceremony, Jess was awarded the BRIT Billion Award by the BPI in April 2024. According to the BPI, it "celebrates and acknowledges outstanding achievement in recorded music by surpassing the landmark of one billion career UK streams – as calculated by the Official Charts Company."

How did Jess Glynne get famous?

After having various part-time jobs, Jess went travelling around the world, and came back to the UK to work for a music management company in her late teens. Having the opportunity to network with songwriters and producers helped Jess to become known in the industry, and she spent four years working on her brand as a singer.

Jess went on a music course for a year, and was then signed to Black Butter Records before signing to Atlantic Records in 2013. She caught the attention of producer Route 94 in 2013, when she recorded the vocals for his track 'My Love', which catapulted her into fame.

Clean Bandit heard Jess' voice and decided to work with her, featuring her on 'Rather Be' which went to Number 1. Her debut solo single 'Right Here' was produced by Gorgon City in 2014, and she performed at music festivals up and down the country that year. She also worked with Little Mix on writing songs.

Jess released her debut album 'I Cry When I Laugh' in August 2015 and it peaked at Number 1 in the UK, receiving a 3x Platinum certification. Jess also accompanied Cheryl Tweedy in The X Factor's Judges' Houses round in 2015.

Is Jess Glynne in Clean Bandit?

Jess isn't an official member of the band, but she featured on 2014 single 'Rather Be' as well as 'Real Love' in the same year.

Jess Glynne: 'Thursday'

Jess Glynne's songs include her critically acclaimed single 'Thursday', which was released in October 2018 and peaked at Number 3 in the UK. As a single from her second album, 'Always In Between', the single was co-written by Ed Sheeran and was hugely popular thanks to its raw honesty.

Jess told Billboard about writing the song: "We spoke about the highs and lows of being famous and doing the job that we do. It was really cool because for me as an artist, I don't really work with that many artists, and obviously you never know how it is for someone else and you feel like you don't know whether that's just you."

Jess also performed the song at the BRIT Awards 2019 as a collaboration with American singer-songwriter H.E.R, featuring many women sat on the stage all taking their makeup off in a heartwarming and empowering moment.

Is Jess Glynne in Home and Away?

Jess Glynne didn't appear in Home and Away, but she did have a cameo on Neighbours in 2019, starring as herself. She said: "I’ve been watching Neighbours since I was a little kid, I grew up with up it, it was always there so it’s a very surreal experience to be here on the set and be actually acting.

"My family are so, so excited I’m doing it, it’s a huge moment for them. It’s one of those things that I just couldn’t ever imagine doing so I have really had a bucket list moment and to be able to sing on the show is amazing. It was also great to meet the cast."

Take a look and see which of Jess Glynne's songs have reached Number 1:

1) ‘Rather Be’ Ft Clean Bandit – 2014

Jess teamed up with collaboration geniuses Clean Bandit in 2014, to help score her first UK Number 1. The track, 'Rather Be', instantly become a massive hit with fans across the country.


Watch the video on YouTube.

2) ‘My Love’ Ft Route 94 – 2014

Jess's second Number 1 single was another collaboration, this time she teamed up with British record producer Route 94. The deep house style single continues to be a favourite with fans.


Watch the video on YouTube.

3) ‘Hold My Hand’ – 2015

Perhaps one of Jess's catchiest tunes to date! 'Hold My Hand', which was released in 2015, is the perfect song to have a sing-a-long at any live gig. The video is great too...


Watch the video on YouTube.

4) ‘Not Letting Go’ Ft Tinie Tempah - 2015

In what was one of the collaborations of 2015, Jess teamed up with Tinie Tempah, with the pair working their magic on the hit 'Not Letting Go'.


Watch the video on YouTube.

5) ‘Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself’ – 2015

Another catchy Number 1 hit from Jess Glynne was her 2015 single 'Don't Be So Hard On Yourself'. After receiving tons of praise for the lyrical content, the song helped Jess equal Cheryl's record for the most Number 1 singles by a British female solo artist.


Watch the video on YouTube.

6) ‘These Days’ Ft Rudimental – 2018

After a three-year break from releasing music, Jess returned in style earlier this year when she teamed up with Rudimental on the hit track 'These Days'. Helping Jess overtake Cheryl to break the record, the singer became the first British female solo artist to score six UK Number 1 singles.


Watch the video on YouTube.

7) 'I'll Be There'

Jess Glynne released 'I'll Be There' in May 2018, the song was the lead single from her album 'Always in Between' and reached Number 1 in June of that year.
Watch the video on YouTube.

NOW WATCH: Jess Glynne Reveals The Importance Of The White Rose and Women Coming Together

Now read:

Rita Ora's biggest career moments so far 🙌

Everything you need to know about BRIT Award-winner Dua Lipa

Anne-Marie: Everything you need to know about the 'Don't Play' singer

How to listen to Northsound 1:

For great music, brilliant banter and incredible competitions tune into Northsound 1 on 96.9, 97.6 or 103.0 FM, online, on our Northsound app, your DAB digital radio, or say ‘Play Northsound 1’ on your Smart Speaker. We give you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years.