BRIT Award winner James Morrison has revealed he has lost his only BRIT Award, in a new episode of the I Never Thought It Would Happen podcast.
The You Give Me Something singer, who lives near Stroud, said he was in “complete shock” when he won Best Male at the BRIT Awards in 2007 – beating Jarvis Cocker, Thom Yorke, Paulo Nutini and Lemar – but admitted he has no idea where the trophy is now.
“There was a time when all my friends would come round and take pictures with it. I think someone might have [taken it]. It’s probably round one of my friends’ houses,” Morrison joked.
The candid interview with host Chris Difford – founding member of Squeeze – comes as Morrison prepares to release his new album Fight Another Day in October.
Morrison opened up about the realities of touring as a single father to daughters Elsie (born 2008) and Ada Rose (born 2018): “It is definitely something new I am dealing with – I used to spend a lot of time on my own. But I am glad to bring my kids on tour. It’s more stressful – your days off are not days off. I am doing it on my own now, so I don’t have a choice.”
He added: “I’ve always wanted to be that guy that brings all their kids on tour… But I’m just glad I’m in the position I’m in and able to bring them out – they can enjoy the gigs, meet people, and it’s a good confidence builder for them too.”
Morrison also shared how Elsie, now nearly 16, inspires him as she performs her own gigs: “She’ll tell me things I need to hear, like ‘look at what you’ve done, Dad.’”
Lockdown struggles and the future of music
Reflecting on the pandemic, Morrison described lockdown as a “wake-up call” for the music industry: “Friends I’d known from touring had to start doing delivery driving. It was a wake-up call to everyone about how difficult it is, especially if you’re a young musician who hasn’t made it yet.”
He also admitted he has never fully adjusted to the streaming era: “It was much better when it wasn’t streaming platforms and it was people buying the records. I never get tired of playing live. I never get tired of making stuff up and seeing where I can go with it.”
Career reflections
The singer spoke warmly of highlights such as co-writing with Paul Weller – “a moment in my life I never thought would happen” – but said his perspective on recognition has shifted: “As I’ve got older, the emphasis on those sort of things aren’t really in my peripheral anymore. If I’ve made an album I’m proud of, that’s enough for me now.”
About the podcast
I Never Thought It Would Happen, now in its fifth series, is produced by Gimme Sugar Productions for the charity Help Musicians. Hosted by Chris Difford, the series features open conversations with leading artists about the realities of life in music. Previous guests include Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sting, James Blunt, Robbie Williams, Olivia Dean and Yungblud.
Chris Difford said: “James’ honesty in this episode is powerful – from the highs of co-writing with Paul Weller to the challenges of fatherhood and touring life. That kind of openness is what makes these conversations so special.”
About Help Musicians
Help Musicians is a charity that supports musicians across the UK in times of crisis and opportunity. In a profession often filled with ups and downs, the charity provides financial, practical and mental health support to help music creators sustain and develop their careers.
Find out more about Help Musicians, or to make a donation, visit www.helpmusicians.org.uk
The full episode with James Morrison is available now on all major podcast platforms. Further episodes will be released weekly.
