English singer and actor Ashley Taylor Dawson was born on January 11, 1982 in Cheshire, England. As a boy, he was part of the SCAMPS Youth Company. Since 1999, he became a cast member of the long-running soap opera Hollyoaks. He became famous for portraying the character Darren Osborne. This role enabled him to act like an arrogant and headstrong man, who has numerous schemes for getting rich quickly. Dawson also had to wear flamboyant clothes for the role, and play someone who gets into trouble several times for trying to prove his independence. Wily and villainous, Darren Osborne sleeps with women only to break their hearts afterwards.
Ashley Dawson was a member of the UK pop band allSTARS* as well. His college friend, Sam Bloom, called him up for an audition and invited him over. Byrne Blood Productions (Steps, A1), the management company at that time, was surprised to find that the actor could also dance and sing. Dawson eventually made it in, getting accepted and rising to fame. Ashley and Sam have also been sharing a flat together, where they spend time hanging out.
Dawson made a lot of appearances with the band, such as performing on the accompanying TV show, STARStreet*. Dawson was featured in other shows as well. He performed with the band on 80s Mania in 2001, and was next seen on episodes of Top of the Pops. He later made an appearance in Never Mind the Buzz!$#!#s, Stars in Their Eyes and RI:SE. The actor has also dabbled in theatre work. He acted alongside Darren Day in a production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, UK.
Other than performing, Ashley Dawson is fond of sports. He plays football and basketball, and is a huge fan of Manchester United. When he was little, he nearly played for England as well.
(Photo courtesy of Channel 4)