Robson Green and Jerome Flynn – TV turned music stars

The North East actor, who was starring alongside Jerome Flynn in ITV’s hit drama Soldier Soldier, found himself at number one in 1995 after a televised performance of ‘Unchained Melody’ sparked overwhelming public demand for a commercial release.

The song featured in a November 1994 episode of the series, in which Green’s character and Flynn’s performed the track at a wedding after the booked act failed to turn up.

Robson Green (Image: PA MEDIA)

The response from viewers was immediate, with ITV receiving thousands of calls from people asking how they could buy the song.

Despite neither actor having plans to pursue a music career, the scale of interest prompted music executive Simon Cowell to approach the pair about recording the track.

Green, in particular, was reluctant and repeatedly declined, later acknowledging that he saw himself purely as an actor rather than a musician.

Jerome Flynn (Image: Lo Smith/Paramount+/PA)

After months of persuasion, the duo agreed to record the song, with producers Mike Stock and Matt Aitken overseeing the release.

‘Unchained Melody’, issued as a double A-side single in early 1995, went straight to number one and remained there for seven weeks.

The track sold more than 1.8 million copies, becoming the UK’s best-selling single of the year and one of the most successful releases of the decade.

Two follow-up singles also debuted at number one, making Green and Flynn part of the first act in UK chart history to achieve three consecutive number-one singles with their initial releases.

Two studio albums followed, both topping the charts and selling millions of copies.

At the height of their popularity, Green and Flynn chose to step away from music, turning down a lucrative offer to continue recording.

Since then, Robson Green has enjoyed a long and successful television career, starring in series including Wire in the Blood, Grantchester and Touching Evil, while also fronting documentary programmes.

Flynn also returned to acting, later appearing in major international productions including Game of Thrones.