Frankie Goes to Hollywood movie biopic announced and lead actor revealed
The 80s pop icons are set to hit the big screen
Last updated 12th May 2023
Just three days after Frankie Goes to Hollywood reunited for the first time in 36 years, it’s been confirmed that a movie biopic about the 80s pop icons is in the works.
Titled Relax after the band’s breakthrough single of the same name, the film is based on frontman Holly Johnson’s 1994 autobiography A Bone in My Flute.
24-year-old Welsh actor Callum Scott Howells, who’s best known for playing Colin in acclaimed Channel 4 drama It’s a Sin, will play Holly Johnson in Relax. Callum says he’s “excited and honoured” to be starring in the movie.
The film was written and will be helmed by English director Bernard Rose, who created the infamous ‘Relax’ video back in 1983. Bernard's other credits include horror classics Paperhouse and Candyman, and in 2010 he made the Howard Marks biopic Mr Nice.
In the 80s, Rose also created Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’ video together with Bronski Beat’s ‘Smalltown Boy’ and UB40’s cover of ‘Red Red Wine.’
Bernard Rose commented: “Combining the wit of the Beatles, the power of The Rolling Stones and the outrage of The Sex Pistols, Frankie Goes To Hollywood went from unemployed Liverpudlians to Kings of pop on the back of their epic banned record Relax.
“In 1984 they outsold Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Duran Duran. Their epic rise, bringing the then deeply underground S+M and LGBTQ club scene screaming into the limelight, is the energetic and moving story of underdogs that win one for the ages.
“I was very much a part of the hoopla, having directed the original ‘banned’ Relax video and I want to bring that innocent and daring world of 1984 back to life for a new audience today…”
Bridget Jones, Les Miserables and Billy Elliot producer Working Title is behind the movie.
Tim Bevan, Co-Chairperson of Working Title, said: “Working Title is always looking to champion British stories and so the opportunity to shine a light on Frankie Goes To Hollywood, a British band who truly revolutionised the UK music industry, was a natural fit for us.
“Working under the direction of Bernard Rose, the project will star exciting young talent, Callum Scott Howells in the lead, and Independent Entertainment as partner. We can’t wait to get started.”
Frankie Goes to Hollywood performed ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’ at the Eurovision Song Contest opening party outside St George’s Hall in Liverpool on Sunday night (7th May).
The following day, Holly Johnson announced two headline UK shows at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Saturday 21st October and The London Palladium on Friday 27th October.
The concerts celebrate the 40th anniversary of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s ‘Relax’ and the upcoming 35th anniversary of Holly Johnson’s chart-topping solo album ‘Blast.’
Tickets are on sale from Aloud.com
Take a look at tours to look forward to in 2023:
Westlife
After much excitement and teasing, Westlife revealed they will be playing across the UK in September and October 2026, as part of their 'Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour'. The band will start their UK leg in Aberdeen on Tuesday 29th September, before performing across the UK, ending with FIVE dates in Belfast.
Stevie Wonder
'Superstition' singer Stevie Wonder has announced his 'Songs In The Key of Life Performances - 50th Anniversary Tour', including four UK dates starting in October 2026 and continuing into November. He will be playing at Birmingham, London, Manchester and Glasgow.
Duran Duran
Duran Duran, who released 'Free To Love' with Nile Rodgers earlier this year, will be performing five dates in the UK, in Glasgow, Belfast, Birmingham, Liverpool and Leeds, starting in Glasgow on 15th October 2026.
The Stylistics
'Betcha by Golly, Wow' singers, The Stylistics, have announced a huge tour for 2026 in October and November. They will be playing 22 dates across the UK.
Heaven 17
Heaven 17 have announced a tour to celebrate the release of their debut album 'Penthouse and Pavement', which as released in September 1981. The band will start their tour in early October 2026, with a date at Wolverhampton' Wulfrun Hall, before they travel to locations such as London, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Liverpool and a homecoming gig at Sheffield's Octagon on Sunday 18th October.
Transvision Vamp
The band, fronted by Wendy James, will play dates across the UK, starting in Newcastle on 6th October 2026, before continuing to venues in Glasgow, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester, London and many more. They will end their tour in Belfast on 1st November.
Paul Heaton
Paul Heaton has announced he will be going on tour later this year, in October and November. The former Housemartins and Beautiful South singer also announced a new album called 'Jenius', and the lead single 'Favourite Kind Of Idiot'. He will also be playing several gigs over summer 2027.
Tony Hadley
Tony Hadley will be heading out on 'The Christmas Big Band Tour 2026', taking place in November and December 2026. Announcing news of his new tour, Tony told his fans: 'Following the huge success of last year's sold-out tour, The Fabulous TH Band and I are heading back out on the road this November and December for the Christmas Big Band Tour!'
He will perform songs by legendary artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Elvis Presley, along with big band versions of Spandau Ballet's 'True', 'Gold', and 'Through The Barricades'.
Del Amitri
The tour, called 'Past to Present - Four Decades of Their Greatest Music', will open at Leeds O2 Academy on Monday 9th November, and wrap up with two homecoming shows at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom on Sunday 6th and Tuesday 8th December.
Culture Club
In May 2026, Culture Club announced they would be heading out on 'The Singles Tour' with very special guests ABC and Haircut 100. The band start their tour in Bournemouth on Monday 7th December, continuing throughout the month, ending at The O2 Arena on Saturday 19th December 2026.
Jack Whitehall
Jack Whitehall hosted the BRIT Awards in February 2026, and will be going on his 'Bad Influence' tour in January and February 2027 across the UK. The tour will start in Newcastle on 7th January 2027, and will see the comedian perform across the UK, finally ending in a month later in Derby.
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde has announced a 13-date UK tour in March 2027. She will be joined by 'I Think We're Alone Now' singer Tiffany. Kim will start her tour in Bristol on 12th March, before travelling across the country and finishing her tour in York on 28th March 2027.
Gabrielle
Gabrielle will be going on a headline tour in March and April 2027, performing at locations such as Portsmouth, Glasgow, Bradford, Newcastle, Bath, London, Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester and many more. This new tour will mark an exciting new chapter for the singer, who rose to fame following the success of her debut single 'Dreams' in 1993 and her landmark 1999 album 'Rise'.
Wet Wet Wet
Wet Wet Wet will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut album 'Popped In Souled Out' with a 40-date UK tour in 2027. The run is split across February and October, beginning on 7th February in Watford and wrapping up on 29th October in Portsmouth, with one October date still to be announced.
Across the shows, they'll perform songs from the milestone album alongside a set packed with career favourites, including hits that helped define their pop success. Select dates will also feature special guests including Roachford, Nick Heyward, Rebecca Ferguson, Heather Small, Johnny Hates Jazz, The Christians and The South.
Francis Rossi
Status Quo legend Francis Rossi has extended his 'Songbook: Quo – Past, Present, Future' UK tour into 2027. He has announced dates throughout March, April and May 2027.
Simple Minds
Simple Minds have announced a May 2027 UK arena tour with very special guest Gary Numan. The band's 'V Tour' 2027 is billed as a 'panoramic live music experience' and 'an all-encompassing celebration of music across 5 decades.'
Chris De Burgh
Chris De Burgh has announced a new tour for 2027. The 'Lady In Red' singer will be starting his eight-date tour in Bath Forum, on 6th May, before he visits Bournemouth, London (for two dates), Leicester, Basingstoke, and Harrowgate before ending his tour on 17th May in Liverpool.
John Bishop
Comedian John Bishop is set to go on tour in 2027, and the tickets are still available to buy now. John will start his 2027 UK and Ireland tour in April in Leeds, continuing across the country including gigs in Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and more. Finally he will end his tour in Ireland on 16th May 2027.
Don Mclean
'American Pie' singer Don Mclean has announced he will be doing one last tour across the UK. 'The Farewell Tour' will take place in May 2027, starting in Glasgow on Tuesday 11th May, before moving onto Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and more, finishing in London.
Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart has announced a four-date tour for April and May 2027. The 'Maggie May' singer will be starting his UK tour in Glasgow on Thursday 29th April, before moving onto Birmingham, Manchester and London – finishing at The O2 on Tuesday 11th May.
Erasure
Erasure have announced a huge tour for 2027. The 'Radio!! Radio!! Tour' will be starting in Cardiff on Sunday 25th April, and continuing for three weeks, ending in The O2 arena in London on Wednesday 12th May.
Rewind-On-Sea at Dreamland Margate
Rewind-On-Sea, taking place at Dreamland Margate next year, has a huge line-up including Marc Almond, Nik Kershaw, Heather Small, Roland Gift, Chesney Hawkes and Altered Images.
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