Tom Walker: Get to know the 'Lifeline' singer 🎶
His second album 'I Am' is out now
BRIT Award-winner Tom Walker has achieved so much in such a short space of time. After starting out busking on the streets of London, his debut album 'What a Time to Be Alive', was not only a Number 1 record, but it's also been certified Platinum in the UK.
However, the 'Leave A Light On' hitmaker likes to keep himself relatively outside of the public eye. Following his recent performance at Hits Radio Live Birmingham, and after joining The Script for their 'Satellites' Tour (which returns to the UK in the summer of 2025), get to know him better with our handy guide...
Who is Tom Walker?
Tom Walker is a singer, best known for his singles 'Leave A Light On' and 'Just You And I'.
How old is Tom Walker?
His birthday is 17th December 1991, making him currently aged 33-years-old.
Where is Tom Walker from?
Tom was born in Kilsyth, Scotland, and moved to Knutsford in Cheshire at the age of three. Although he has a North-West accent, Tom has said that he often slips back into a Scottish accent when he's around his family or visiting Scotland.
How did Tom Walker get famous?
Before he won a BRIT Award and had a Number 1 album, Tom used to busk on the streets of London! The singer told us in an interview: "I went from busking to like three people on the streets of London... chased away by the council every five minutes, because you need a permit, but there's a two-year wait! I mean, you tell me that when when you're a student or you don't have a job!
"To like playing Glastonbury, so it's absolutely crazy, I'm absolutely buzzing, because obviously it's a hard industry to get into, and the chances of it happening, you know aren't like huge."
He went on to say: "I failed most of my GCSEs, and somehow pulled an absolute blinder getting into the music industry, so I'm buzzing!"
Tom Walker's albums
'What a Time To Be Alive'
Tom released his debut album 'What a Time to Be Alive' in March 2019, spawning singles 'Just You and I', 'Leave A Light On' and 'Better Half Of Me', which appeared on the deluxe edition of the record. It's been certified Platinum in the UK.
In November 2019, Tom confirmed he was working on his second studio album. In 2020, Tom said that lockdown had given him time to write more songs for the upcoming album including the first single 'Wait For You', which was released in June 2020.
Meanwhile in 2022, Tom released the singles 'Serotonin' and 'The Best Is Yet To Come' as well as teaming up with Robin Schulz on 'Sun Will Shine' and Hybrid Minds on 'Castles'.
'I Am'
Finally, in November 2023, Tom announced the name and release date of his second album. His album, called 'I Am', features his songs 'Burn' and 'Freaking Out' as well as his latest song 'Holy Ghost'.
He has now released the title track of the album saying: "I’ve called it ‘I Am’ because it's the culmination of me trying to figure out who I am for the last four years. This record is a snapshot of what's been going on in my life, and what's been happening around me – what's made me happy or sad, ecstatic or miserable."
Is Tom Walker going on tour?
Tom announced a headline tour for 2024 back in November 2023. The singer has now finished his tour, however if you missed him you have the chance to catch him supporting The Script on their 'Satellites' tour in the summer of 2025, as it has now been extended!
Tom also joined us at Hits Radio Live, in Birmingham on Friday 22nd November. That's right, straight after opening for The Script in the same city, he delighted Hits Radio Live audiences.
Tom has also been doing an album launch tour throughout September and October 2024, where he was performing tracks from his new album.
Which awards has Tom Walker won?
Tom won the hugely prestigious Best British Breakthrough Act at the BRIT Awards 2019, and was also received a nomination for Best British Single for 'Leave A Light On'. His song 'Just You and I' was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2020 ceremony, but lost out to Lewis Capaldi's 'Someone You Loved'.
Are Tom Walker and Rag 'n' Bone Man related?
They're not! However, Tom spoke to us in July 2019, revealing that he often gets mistaken for the fellow singer. He said, "Oh my gosh, it's so funny! They recognise my face because they know they've seen it somewhere, and they're like, '...Are you Rag'n'Bone Man?' and I've just started saying yes and just taking the pictures with people. They'll be like, 'I love your song 'Human'', and I'm just like... 'Thanks'." 🤣
Is Tom Walker married?
He is! Tom became engaged to his long-term girlfriend Annie in August 2018.
In an interview with us, Tom spoke about how he and Annie spent the Coronavirus lockdown together. They moved into their own house just before the lockdown and did a lot of DIY!
In a post shared to his Instagram page in April 2023, Tom revealed he was taking a break from social media ahead of his wedding to Annie. He later returned in May 2023 with a lovely cover of his first dance song, 'Afterglow' by Wilkinson and Becky Hill.
Check out Tom's impressive career so far:
Before 2016: Tom Walker's beginnings
Tom Walker graduated from London's College of Contemporary Music (now known as London College of Creative Media). However, before he got his big break in music, he used to busk and he worked as a photo booth attendant, revealing in an interview: "I busked around London for a year, also working as a photo booth attendant, which is like the guy that goes down to events, babysits the drunk people, shows them how to work the photo booth".
2016: Tom Walker collaborated with his housemates
Starting out in the music industry, Tom worked with his housemates which included members of the band Whilk & Misky. In 2016 his song 'Sun Goes Down' was played on a national radio station, leading him to be signed to Relentless not long after.
Later that year he officially released his debut song 'Fly Away with Me'.
2017: Tom Walker released ‘Just You and I’ (acoustic)
An acoustic version of 'Just You and I' was released, and Tom was chosen by an American radio DJ as their artist of the month. Tom also appeared on NBC's Today show, performing his song. 'Just You and I' was later re-released in January 2019, and reached the Top 3 in the UK.
In 2017, Tom also supported a number of well-known singers including George Ezra, Jake Bugg and The Script.
2017: Tom Walker released ‘Leave a Light On’
'Leave a Light On' was Tom's breakthrough song. He had chart success with the song when it reached Number 7 in the UK and Top 10 in a number of other countries. 'Leave a Light On' was included on his 2019 album 'What a Time to Be Alive'.
'Leave a Light On' was co-written and produced by Steve Mac, famous for working with Ed Sheeran, Little Mix, P!nk and many more artists.
2018: Rudimental released ‘Walk Alone’ featuring Tom Walker
Rudimental and Tom Walker released 'Walk Alone' in October 2018. The song's official music video, which was filmed in New Zealand, has now had more than 4.7 million views.
Watch the music video on YouTube
2019: Tom Walker released ‘What a Time to Be Alive’
Tom's debut album 'What a Time to Be Alive' was released on 1st March 2019. The album included his hits 'Leave a Light On', 'Just You and I' and 'Better Half of Me'. The album reached Number 1 in the UK.
2019: Tom Walker won a BRIT Award
Tom won his first BRIT Award for Best Breakthrough Act in 2019. His song 'Leave the Light On' was also nominated for Best British Single.
2020: ‘What a Time to Be Alive’ certified Platinum in the UK
Selling over 300,000 units in the UK, 'What a Time to Be Alive' was certified Platinum in the UK. The album remained in the Top 20 for over 50 weeks and climbed back into the Top 10 after the release of the deluxe edition.
2022: Tom Walker released ‘Serotonin’
Tom released his single 'Serotonin' in April 2022, sharing the music video on the day of release. The beautifully shot video shows a difficult relationship between a father and daughter, interspersed by shots of Tom, accompanied by a stunning backdrop of hot air balloons flying over Mexico City.
Watch the music video for 'Serotonin' on YouTube
2023: Tom Walker released 'Burn'
Tom released the single 'Burn' in September 2023 and celebrated the release with a series of surprise events in Glasgow, Manchester and London.
2023: Tom Walker announces his biggest tour yet
Tom Walker announces his biggest tour yet will take place in 2024, supporting his second album called 'I Am'.
2023: Tom Walker announces his second album 'I Am'
Tom Walker announces his second album, called 'I Am' will be released in September 2024.
2024: Tom Walker announced as special guests on The Script's tour
Tom Walker has been announced as a special guest joining The Script on their 'Satellites' Tour.
November 2024: Tom Walker performs at Hits Radio Live
Tom Walker took to the stage of Birmingham's bp pulse LIVE arena on Friday 22nd November 2024, where he performed his biggest hits. He joined artists such as as Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Sigala and Joel Corry for the first night of the weekend event.
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You can hear songs by Tom Walker on MFR.
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