Abz Love
Love performing in at Five tour in 2001.
Love performing in at Five tour in 2001.
Background information
Birth nameRichard Abidin Breen
Also known as
  • Abs
  • Abs Breen
Born (1979-06-29) 29 June 1979
London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1997–2003
2013–present
Member ofBoyz on Block
Formerly ofFive

Richard Abidin Breen (born 29 June 1979), better known as Abz Love, is an English singer, rapper and songwriter. Love was a member of the boy band Five and is current member of supergroup Boyz on Block.[1]

In 2003, he released his debut solo album Abstract Theory, which earned him a further three top-ten hits.[2] In 2013 he appeared on All Star Mr & Mrs and became the runner-up for Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother 12. In 2015, Love starred in BBC Two's documentary series Country Strife: Abz on the Farm, followed by a Christmas special titled Country Strife: Abz on the Christmas Farm.

Early life

Richard Abiden Breen was born in London to Turkish father Turan Sanveren and Irish mother Kathleen Breen. He was raised on a council estate in Hackney, East London where he was brought up until he left home at 16 to join boyband Five.[3][4] He won a scholarship to attend the Italia Conti Stage School[5] where he studied acting. One day his teacher suggested he audition for a boy band that was being groomed by Simon Cowell.

After performing in front of Cowell and a panel of managers, Love was chosen from over 3,000 auditionees to be in the band Five (also known as 5ive). He changed his name to Abs in order avoid confusion with bandmate Ritchie Neville.

Five went on to have international success winning a Brit Award for Best Pop Act 2000, an MTV award and ASCAP awards for songwriting. Love and fellow Five members Jason "J" Brown and Sean Conlon were involved in writing many of the band's hits such as "Everybody Get Up", "Keep On Movin'" and "If Ya Gettin' Down".

Career

1997–2001: Five

In 1997, Love auditioned for Five, a new boy band-style group with "attitude and edge" and was eventually selected to be part of the band along with Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson, Sean Conlon and Jason "J" Brown. Five subsequently were signed by Simon Cowell and BMG/RCA for a six-album deal. Five went on to enjoy massive success worldwide, selling over 20 million records in their four years.[6] The group sold around 20 million copies worldwide.[7] The band split up on 27 September 2001.[8] In 2006 Five attempted a comeback without Conlon, but failed to sign with a new label and the band disbanded again.[9]

2002–2003: Abstract Theory and hiatus

After Five split, Love was signed to Sony BMG by Simon Cowell as a solo artist and became the only band member to release a solo album. Abstract Theory had three top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart with "What You Got" (No. 4), "Stop Sign" (No. 10), and "Miss Perfect" (No. 5). Abstract Theory reached No. 29 on the UK Albums Chart. Love was fired from Sony in December 2003, changed his name to Abz Love and took a long hiatus from his music career.[10]

2013–2018: Five reunion and television

In January 2013, Five returned to star the ITV2's reality show The Big Reunion.[11] Brown didn't want to rejoin the group and Five announced that they were considering a new fifth member for the comeback, but withdrew to continue with the original four-member lineup.[12] The band decided to continue as a four-piece performing live touring Europe.[13] Also in 2013, Love was runner-up of Celebrity Big Brother 12.[14][15] Love said he agreed to join the reality show because he was financially broke and living with his aunt Wendy.[16] In August 2014 Love left Five, citing creative differences – years later he said he was unhappy just singing the hit songs and not recording new material.[17]

In 2015 he starred in his own reality show Country Strife: Abz on the Farm, a docu-series aired on BBC Two about his rural life in a farm in Wales.[18][19] The show became a cult hit with viewers and critics alike.[20][21][22] In January 2016, Abz released his first solo single in over a decade, "Cockadoodledoo".[23]

2019–present: Boyz on Block

Since 2019, he has been part of the supergroup Boyz on Block, along with Ben Ofoedu from Phats & Small, Dane Bowers from Another Level and Shane Lynch from Boyzone.[24] On 20 November 2020, the group released their first single, a cover of East 17's 1994 single "Stay Another Day", featuring Tony Mortimer.[25][26] They have been performing live touring Europe ever since.[27]

In 2022, he joined the tenth series of dating reality show Celebs Go Dating, aired on Channel 4.[28]

Personal life

From 2009 to 2017, Love dated singer Vicky Fallon. In 2013 Love said that he has Asperger syndrome, a mild form of autism.[29]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[30]		 SCO
[31]
Abstract Theory 2938
Golden[32]
  • Released: 21 July 2020
  • Label: DK
  • Format: Digital download
 ——
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Extended plays

List of EPs
Title EP details
The Starkid[33]
  • Released: 29 June 2019
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Love VI[34]
  • Released: 1 November 2021
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Single Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[30]		 AUS
[35]		 BEL
[36]		 EUR
[37]		 IRL
[38]		 ITA
[39]		 NL
[40]		 NZ
[41]		 SCO
[42]		 SWE
[43]
"What You Got" 2002 4333520937377440 Abstract Theory
"Shame" —64—————35——
"Stop Sign" 2003 1056——21———6—
"Miss Perfect"
(featuring Nodesha)		 5———13———6—
"Cockadoodledoo"[44]
(featuring Vicky Fallon)		 2015 —————————— non-album singles
"Tictok"[45] 2022 ——————————
"Faith"[46] ——————————
"Evol"[47] 2023 ——————————
"You"[48] ——————————
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other appearances

Single Year Other artist Album
"Hornz" 2019 Eastside Greenbacks E.S.G.B.[49]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2013 The Big Reunion Himself Series 1
Celebrity Big Brother Contestant Series 12
2015 Country Strife: Abz on the Farm Himself BBC Two's reality show
Country Strife: Christmas Farm
2022 Celebs Go Dating Episode: "Abz Love"


References

  1. ↑ MTV. "Abs Breen". Archived from the original on 21 September 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  2. ↑ O'Callaghan, Bren (8 September 2003). "Abs Abstract Theory Review". BBC. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  3. ↑ Hurriyet. "Five grubunun Türk yıldızı". Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  4. ↑ Netter, Matt (1999). Five: A Biography. Pocket Books. p. 65. ISBN 0671036394.
  5. ↑ Italia Conti. "Celebrating 100 Years: 1911-2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  6. ↑ "Certified Awards". Bpi.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  7. ↑ Sunner, Amber (31 October 2021). "Everything you need to know about Abz Love". Bristol Post. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  8. ↑ . Apple.com. Retrieved on 4 August 2023.
  9. ↑ "5ive: "We're gay"". MTV. 27 September 2006. Retrieved 30 March 2007.
  10. ↑ "5ive (Five) - BBC Radio One Interview for The Big Reunion [HD]" – via www.youtube.com.
  11. ↑ Robinson, Scott [@Scottlarock5] (18 October 2012). "I can confirm that five we'll take part in the big reunion on @itv2 Sometime next year We are all Looking forward to the show #willbegreat" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ↑ "Boy band 5ive hunting for new member". MSN. 17 January 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  13. ↑ Duncan, Amy (17 January 2013). "5ive post plea for fifth member on Facebook ahead of reunion 12 years after parting ways". Metro. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  14. ↑ Buchanan, Daisy (22 August 2013). "Abz Love profiled: Big Reunion star and 5ive frontman revealed as Celebrity Big Brother 2013 housemate". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  15. ↑ Leigh, Rob (13 September 2013). "Charlotte Crosby wins Celebrity Big Brother 2013". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  16. ↑ Williams, Helen (30 January 2020). "What is Abz's net worth? Five singer appears on Celebrity Come Dine with Me!". Reality Titbit. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  17. ↑ Brad S. (1 September 2014). "INTERVIEW : Abz (5ive)". auspOp. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  18. ↑ Kathryn Williams (20 May 2015). "Former Five star Abz swaps the stage for a farm in Wales in new BBC Two show". walesonline.
  19. ↑ "5ive's Abz Love and girlfriend Vicky Fallon to star in own TV show". Reveal. Nat Mags.
  20. ↑ Wollaston, Sam (17 August 2015). "Country Strife: Abz on the Farm review – braving cabbages in a hilarious escapade". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  21. ↑ Jones, Ellen E. (16 August 2015). "Abz on the Farm: Five's former rapper is a star reborn". The Independent. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  22. ↑ O'Donovasn, Gerard (16 August 2015). "Country Strife: Abz on the Farm, BBC Two, review: 'hilarious'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  23. ↑ Eleftheriou-Smith, Loulla-Mae (9 September 2015). "Abz from 5ive can't believe his Brit Award has raised more than £1m on eBay: 'All I needed was a bit of soil and it's gone nuts'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  24. ↑ "Boyz on Block lift lid on trashing hotels and 'freeing zoo animals' in 90s". Daily Mirror. 22 September 2021.
  25. ↑ Copsey, Rob. "Boyband supergroup Boyz on Block unveil their first single, a cover of East 17's Stay Another Day". Official Charts. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  26. ↑ "Boyz on Block - Stay Another Day". Spotify. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  27. ↑ "Boyz on Block to cover East 17's Christmas classic 'Stay Another Day'". Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  28. ↑ "Celebs Go Dating announce Ulrika Jonsson, Abz Love, Chloe Brockett, Miles Nazaire, Nikita Jasmine & Ryan-Mark Parsons as they re-enter the dating game and begin their search for love | Channel 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  29. ↑ Daniels, Colin (27 August 2013). "CBB star Abz Love: 'I have Asperger's'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  30. 1 2 "The Official Charts Company — Abz Love". The Official Charts Company. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011.
  31. ↑ "Scottish Albums Chart - 6 September 2003 - 12 September 2003". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  32. ↑ "Golden". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  33. ↑ "The Starkid". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  34. ↑ "Love VI". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  35. ↑ "Chartifacts — Wednesday 14th November 2012". ARIA Charts. 11 October 2012. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  36. ↑ "Ultratop Discografie". Ultratop.be/nl/. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  37. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 37. 7 September 2002. p. 11.
  38. ↑ "Discography on Ireland". Irishcharts.ie. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  39. ↑ "Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  40. ↑ "Dutch chart history". charts.org. Dutch Singles Chart / Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  41. ↑ "Chart history: New Zealand". charts.org. New Zealand Singles Chart / Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  42. ↑
  43. ↑ "Swedish Singles Charts". Sverigetopplistan Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
  44. ↑ "Cockadoodledoo". Spotify. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  45. ↑ "Tictok". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  46. ↑ "Faith". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  47. ↑ "Evol". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  48. ↑ "You". iTunes. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  49. ↑ "E.S.G.B." Spotify. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
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