Ian Hooper has been performing live music for over 30 years. singing and playing piano and guitar both locally and internationally .He has been on some incredible musical journeys which have taken him around the globe, performing in places such as Japan, Las Vegas, South Africa and Monte Carlo amongst many others. From 1998-2007, Ian played a successful UK theatre tour, performing at such venues at the Playhouse, Edinburgh, Manchester Apollo, Hammersmith Apollo, and The Strand Theatre, London. He also performed session recordings, playing keyboards on albums with the band Cornershop, who had a No1 hit with Brimful of Asha in the 1990s. Amongst other credits, Ian worked on the West End theatre production "Best of the West End" at the Royal Albert Hall in 2018.

Born in Manchester, Ian moved to the Fylde Coast at the age of 8 and it's been home ever since.His passion for music and performance led to him founding a rock/pop music academy for youngsters called Upbeat Rock Academy based in Poulton le Fylde. It's from there that Ian and the Upbeat team have expanded to provide full music recording facilities and teaching studios, and it's also home to the studios used for Ian's show "That Upbeat Thing" on Coastal Radio DAB. Ian was delighted to be asked to join the talented presenter team at Coastal. His show, every Sunday from 4-8pm, is a totally eclectic mix of inspirational songs, brand new tunes from local artists (which we're all very excited about), and a more in depth look at what's happening on the gig circuit. Ian is keen to promote the arts in general, and his show features news, views and interviews to discuss all things creative on the Fylde Coast!

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All About Ian

Your Star Sign: Aquarius

Your Age: 55 years young (thanks to music!)

Your Hometown: Stalybridge, Manchester

Your Jr School: Norbreck Primary, Manchester

Your High School: Arnold School,

Your College: University of Cumbria

Your First Job: Performing at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, 1989

Your Worst job: none so far!

Your Pet Hate: Bad manners

15 Fun Facts About Ian

1. Favourite colour: Blue

2. Favourite movie: Pulp Fiction

3. Favourite Band: So MANY! The Beatles probably.

4. Favourite song: Bohemian Rhapsody

5. Celebrity Crush: So MANY!  (hah ha!)

6. Married/kids/family: Married to my best friend and gorgeous wife Jules,with two amazing grown up kids, Heather, who is studying to be a teacher, and Will, a musiciain, and tutor.

7. Any pets: Benson, our faithful beardie, now 13 and a half!

8. Favourite Sport: Watching - football. But skiing is what we all love in our family.

9. Any tattoos: None

10. Favourite Food: BBQ any day!

11. Favourite Drink: Bacardi & coke, slice of orange (that's important!)

12. Favourite TV Series: Breaking Bad

13. Your Favourite Holiday Destination: take me anywhere in Greece!

14.Your Party Trick: Balancing almost anything!!

15. Any claim to fame: I played keys on the Cornershop track "Spectral Mornings" and dueted with the guest guitarist on the same track- Noel Gallagher.