Richard Neville
Richard Neville defies the traditional route that handsome, talented men usually take in that he truly isn’t full of himself. He may rate as one of the most popular members of 5ive, but Ritchie spends his spare time jumping from one confidence crisis to another.
Name:Richard Neville
Born in Solihull, Birmingham, his parents, Kim and Peter, split when he was two but his mother later re-married Ritchie’s stepfather, Derek. Ritchie, together with his elder brother, Dave, and sister, Tracey, spent much of this youth in pub - but only because their mum was the landlady.
Friendly, enthusiastic and always optimistic, Ritchie is one of the easiest members of 5ive to talk to, so make sure you are sitting comfortably...
“ I grew up in a pub called the ‘ Crab Mill’ that my mum and stepdad still run in Bromsgrove and I had the best childhood. From the age of three I’ve been hanging out with my brother and his mates, who are eight years older than me, and as a result I’d say I’m pretty mature for my years.
My brother taught me about all the things is should never have known about at an early age.
I was a bit of a lad in my teens. I liked going out, meeting girls and bunking the odd lesson or two, but nothing that really got me into trouble. I went to a public school called Bromsgrove School, which is quite posh.
Mum and dad worked hard and missed out on having a smart car and things to they could send me there. We worked really long hours at school, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm and Saturday from 8.30 am to 4pm. I found the work quite hard and I had awful handwriting. My reports always said, ‘ Richard could do better. He talks too much and is disruptive.’ Later I discovered I had dyslexia, which accounts for my love of music and acting over academic work.
I joined the National Theatre when I was 14 and was in a play called Body Work, which we took to the Edinburgh Festival. I liked the acting but I jacked it in because it was such a mission to come down to London every week for rehearsals.
If I’m honest, music has always been my first love. I remember the first single I bought was ‘ Rent’ by the Pet Shop Boys. I got it home, put it on the stereo and this song called ‘ I want a dog’ came on. I went mad and walked 25 minutes back into town to take it back. They were really sweet in the shop and explained my mistake - I’d been playing the B side!
I was in a band at school called Anal Beard ( yeah, I know - bad name) and we played local gigs. We weren’t very good but it was my first experience of music. My ambition now is to write songs. I have plenty ideas for songs in my head and as soon as I get some money I’m going to buy a guitar to help me get them down on paper.
I’ve always had a girlfriend - until I joined 5ive, that is. Its completely killed my love life because we’re never in one place long enough to meet anyone and really get to know them.
I’ve only had one real love. I was 16 and it’s something I’ll never forget. We were together for a year **actually, it was nine months**, but we then started arguing and eventually split up. I’ve been looking for the some sort of feeling I had with her ever since. I go out with girls, but I haven’t found anything that compares with it...not yet anyway.”
Born:August 23, 1979, Birmingham
Smooch status:I split up with my last girlfriend last year. We’re still friends and there’s still something there but it doesn’t work. I’m in love...with my job.
Love is:Intense, had and it hurts big time but it’s worth it.
Richie in one word:I’m an introverted extrovert!
Worst trait( according to Abs):Smelly feet.
Worst chat up line:Did you hear about the polar bear? No? Well it broke the ice didn’t it?
First thing he looks for in a girl:I look at the whole face really. I like a sweet looking baby face although I’m quite into older women too!
If he wasn’t Richie:I’d be a different 5ive person each day ‘cause I’d love to know what they’re really like
Rich’d write a fan letter to:I’m on love with Cameron Diaz and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Ideal Woman:Blonde. Someone’s who’s nice. But not too nice cos they might bore me!
First kiss:When I was 11. I couldn’t stop thinking about it for ages afterwards.
Fave fact:When I was 10 I used to put loads of gel on my hair and slick it back.