UNITED KINGDOM: BOYZONE SWEEP THE BOARD IN THIS YEAR'S UK SMASH HITS POLL OF TOP POP ACTS

Record ID: 336572

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: BOYZONE SWEEP THE BOARD IN THIS YEAR'S UK SMASH HITS POLL OF TOP POP ACTS
  • Date: 2nd December 1996
  • Summary: (FILE - LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM) (RTV) LIAM GALLAGHER IN LONDON
  • Embargoed: 17th December 1996 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA24BB06GEEK3EMLZYC3F5O5YZS
  • Story Text: Teen sensation Boyzone swept the board in this year's UK Smash Hits Poll of top pop acts - but for lead singer Ronan Keating, being voted most fanciable male was just too much for him.

    The blond Irish heart-throb who beat Britain's Prince William to the title, fainted during the evening's festivities, although his band members put it down to heat and lack of food. Prince William, who once featured as a Smash Hits pin-up, was fifth in the most fanciable person poll -- he did not attend.

    Boyzone clinched six top places with fans' votes -- almost approaching the eight awards won by Take That in their final fling last year before splitting up for good.

    Boyzone won best international group, best single with "Words" and best album with "A Different Beat." True to form, the band declared the award was particularly dear to them because it was voted for by their supporters rather than industry moguls.

    Girl-group the Spice Girls have made an impact in their first few months of fame, and scooped the best British group award, best new act and best pop video.

    Best solo female singer this year is Louise of former Eternal fame. Declaring herself "chuffed and over the moon" she said she finally managed to catch up with her former friends from the group backstage during the awards.

    Eternal, who once performed "I am blesed" before the Pope, picked up the prize for best soul act.

    Australian-born Peter Andre was keeping his famous chest under wraps during the evening, despite being voted best male artist and best album cover. "It's the icing on the cake," he said back-stage after the awards.

    Andre's odds on having the UK Christmas No 1 have been slashed by bookies after he clinched the chart top spot.

    But where there were winners, there were also losers.

    In the fickle world of teenage fancies, Oasis' Liam Gallagher was declared the least fanciable person, and won the most tragic haircut - but he did well in that category last year.

    And Take That rebel Robbie Williams was voted the biggest loser of 1996, just as he was of 1995 after leaving the band. But he won a small consolation, being picked by teen fans as the funniest person in the world.

    The results were unveiled in front of 14,000 screaming pop fans at an all-star billing Smash Hits Poll Winners Party at London Arena.

    As predicted, "The Artist Formally Known as Prince"didn't appear for the London Arena party, following the recent death of his baby son.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register