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From Icon to Unrecognisable: 90s Pop Star's Shocking Transformation

Published 2 hours ago3 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
From Icon to Unrecognisable: 90s Pop Star's Shocking Transformation

Peter Cunnah, the charismatic frontman of the renowned dance group D:Ream, presents a striking contrast to his younger self from three decades ago, when the band dominated the music charts. Alongside Al Mackenzie, D:Ream achieved significant success with multiple top 40 hits, including "U R the Best Thing" and "Shoot Me with Your Love." Their defining moment arrived in 1994 when "Things Can Only Get Better" soared to the coveted number one spot. Today, Cunnah sports grey hair and a more refined style, frequently sharing glimpses of his and Mackenzie's backstage life and event appearances on D:Ream’s official Instagram, confirming the duo's continued performance. The band's original lineup saw changes, but Cunnah remained its central figure, and their live performances once featured keyboardist Brian Cox, who later gained fame as Professor Brian Cox.

A recent Instagram post captured Cunnah with comedy icons Harry Enfield and Kathy Burke, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their characters Kevin and Perry at a music festival. The caption highlighted the joyous occasion, connecting it with D:Ream's anthemic "Things Can Only Get Better," evoking nostalgic reactions from fans. Another snap showed Cunnah and the band in all black, ready for a Saturday night gig. In their heyday of 1994, D:Ream earned prestigious nominations, including Best Dance Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards and Best Single at the 1995 BRIT Awards.

"Things Can Only Get Better" gained a controversial second life when Tony Blair adopted it as the anthem for his New Labour election campaign after 18 years of Conservative rule. Cunnah, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, expressed a profound "love-hate relationship" with the song, acknowledging it as his "meal ticket" but also voicing deep hurt over its association with Blair, whom he described as "basically a walking war criminal." He found accusations of complicity profoundly upsetting.

Cunnah also bravely opened up about his personal battles with alcohol and drugs during the peak of his career. He recounted a particularly disorienting period around 1996, where heavy usage led to a bizarre moment of delusion, making him believe he was Robbie Williams. This occurred as Williams, who had previously toured with D:Ream while with Take That, was performing with a similar haircut, mic technique, and stage attire, leading Cunnah into a confused state. He eventually sought help, getting clean and attending rehab to overcome his addiction.

The band's journey continued with an unexpected reunion in 2008, when Cunnah and Mackenzie serendipitously reconnected. This led to a new single in 2009, followed by the album "In Memory Of" in 2011, and a decade later, "Open Hearts Open Minds." Despite these efforts, none of their newer tracks managed to chart, with only a 2014 reissue of "Things Can Only Get Better" breaking into the top 100. Beyond D:Ream, Peter Cunnah also found success as a songwriter for pop groups like Steps and A1, and contributed his vocals to Chicane's top 40 hit "Love on The Run."

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