Lance Ellington's life from very famous dad to Strictly appearances

Lance Ellington has lived a star-studded life from writing songs for Steps and Westlife and working with musical greats like Sir Elton John to making regular performances on Strictly Come Dancing. His latest exploits include featuring in a celebrity special episode of ITV's The Chase Celebrity Special and dropping his latest music album called 'Happy'.

The 55-year-old English singer, songwriter and actor, has worked with many famous artists, including Sting, George Michael, Michael Jackson and Robbie Williams. He co-wrote the 1998 hit song One for Sorrow by Steps and Change The World by Westlife which was released in 1999.

A man of many talents, Lance has also delved into the acting world and in 2004 he appeared as his late father, Ray Ellington, in the film The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. After leaving school, Lance entered and won the 1977 final of the television talent show, New Faces, as a member of the duo Koffee 'n' Kreme with singing partner Beth Hannah. Lance followed this with a tour alongside Johnny Mathis and a performance at the Royal Variety Show.

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His career continued as a session singer with many top artists, working on and releasing several albums. In 1993, his single Lonely (We Have Lost Our Love) peaked at number 57 in the UK Singles Chart. Lance's solo career includes studio albums and stage appearances, and in 2012, he was the resident vocalist on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

The singer appears to have inherited his musical side from his dad, Ray Ellington, who was an incredibly famous singer, drummer and bandleader known for his jazz and swing music. Henry Pitts Brown, known professionally as Ray, was best known for his appearances on The Goon Show, a British radio comedy programme from the 50s.

Ray passed away in 1985 at the age of 68 and he is survived by his two children, Lance and Nina Ellington and his ex-wife Anita West. Ray was married to Anita for six years before they divorced in 1962. Meanwhile, Lance is married to his wife Mirelle with whom he shares two children, Lauren and Lois.

His wife Mirelle was a dancer and she had performed on the Pet Shop Boys' World Tour in 1994. Music and performing seems to run in the family, for Lance's two daughters have both launched careers in the entertainment world as dancers, singers and performers.

The Chase Celebrity Special airs on ITV1 at 4.05pm.

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