Tony Hadley: Fans still threw their knickers on stage after I became a dad The Times Nick McGrath the parent trap Tony Hadley: Fans still threw their knickers on stage after I became a dad new The Spandau Ballet singer on growing up in post-war London, juggling nappies and world tours and being 'Papa Tone' Tony Hadley; right, as a teenager Nick McGrath Monday October 19 2026, 5.00am BST , The Sunday Times Listen 0:00 / · 4:56 min Share Share this article Email Twitter Facebook Link Save Puzzles Challenge yourself with today's puzzles. Born in Islington, London in 1960, Tony Hadley formed Spandau Ballet with school friends in 1976 and became the band's lead singer, fronting hits including True , Gold and Through the Barricades . They sold 25 million records and Hadley sang on Band Aid's Do They Know it's Christmas in 1984. The band split in 1990 and he launched a solo career, but he took part in reunions between 2009 and 2017. He was awarded an MBE in 2019 for services to charity. He has three children — Tom, 42, Toni, 40, and Mackenzie, 35 — from his first marriage. He lives in Buckinghamshire with his second wife, Alison, and their two children, Zara, 19 and Genevieve, 14. He has a grandson, Freddie, who is one. Parenting newsletter Join our community receiving professional advice and sharing personal stories. Sign up with one click You've successfully signed up to the Parenting newsletter Explore our newsletters An error occurred. Please use the link below. Parenting newsletter Explore our newsletters My mum and dad were war-era parents After the war, that generation had massive ambition for their kids. They always said to me, “You can achieve whatever you want.” As a baby We were the only family in the street with an inside toilet London was still being rebuilt and we didn't even have a washing machine. They had to wash clothes communally at the local baths on a Tuesday, but then in other ways times were simpler. My aunt and uncle lived opposite, and my nan and grandad were round the corner. Everybody knew everybody, and they all made sure that the kids were always in check. We used to play on bomb sites when I was a kid We were always doing stupid things like setting fires. I did know a couple of boys who went to Borstal and that put the fear of God into me. I was always smart and my dad would make sure our shoes were shined. It was about self-respect and respecting your elders. Singing at Pontin's holiday camp My parents encouraged my passion for singing We used to go to Pontin's holiday camp as a family and I discovered singing after they bought me a tape recorder. I started recording myself singing along to Elton John, Queen, Roxy Music and Bowie, and I used to play it back. I didn't think I sounded too bad and my parents were pleasantly surprised too. I wasn't good enough at maths, physics and chemistry to qualify as an orthopaedic surgeon, so I threw myself into music. Advertisement I was a dad at 23 That was a year after I got married, which didn't go down too well with the Spandau boys as they thought it would affect the fans. It didn't make a blind bit of difference in terms of how many of them were throwing knickers on the stage and we had our first No 1 with True , which topped the charts in 21 countries around the world. I don't know how I managed to juggle fatherhood and the band I did have quite a lot of time off between tours, so even though I was away a lot, when I was at home, I was hands on doing the nappies, bath time and reading stories. Parents' evening when we were No 1 in the charts was a bit odd I've never taken fame that seriously. I've always just been Tone who goes down the pub with his mates. If my children hear one of my songs come on when we're in John Lewis, they pretend it's not happening. Or they wander off to the perfume department. I'm now known as Papa Tone My daughter said, “Do you want to be called Grandad?” and said, “No thanks,” but I liked the Italian sound of Papa. Papa Tone has that kind of Bronxy, Robert De Niro appeal. With his grandson on holiday this year I need to buy my new grandson an Arsenal Babygro I was going to leave it to my daughter to do it but maybe it's my grandad's duty. It's been brilliant being a grandfather, absolutely fantastic. Little Freddie is a little blessing, he really is. Advertisement When Tom and Toni were little, I brought them out on stage with me Tom was on my shoulders in an Iron Maiden T-shirt and Toni was absolutely terrified. And my daughter Zara recently joined me on stage at a gig in Menorca to sing backing vocals with my niece Lucy as we had no backing singers. Tony, his brother Steve and his sister Lee enjoying time together Having children for the second time as an older dad has been brilliant What is even more brilliant about it is that all my kids love each other completely. We all go out together — including my ex-wife — and it's nice, but what you don't want is your current wife and your ex-wife having a chat about what you're like. Read more Arlene Phillips: My daughter threw her ballet shoes in the bin Tim Spector: We fed our children things that were quite bad for them Mollie King: Stuart is so relaxed, I'm the overthinker My mum is over the moon to be a great gran She's 94 and still going strong. I'm only 66 so being Great Papa Tone isn't out of the question. I'm hoping my sons will settle down soon Then they can give me some more grandchildren. The most important thing though is for them all to be happy. But if we can throw a few more grandchildren into the mix, I'll be over the bloody moon. 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