David Essex, 71, jokes he 'can't retire as he has too many kids'... as father-of-five prepares to go on tour with rock queen Suzi Quatro
He was hailed Britain's biggest pop pin-up in his '70s heyday and has enjoyed a career spanning more than four decades.
But singer and actor David Essex, 71, revealed he has no intentions of slowing down, joking that he can't retire because he has 'too many kids'.
The father-of-five, who is set to tour with fellow '70s legend Suzi Qautro next year, made the cheeky admission during an appearance on Lorraine with the rock queen on Friday.
Cheeky: Singing icon David Essex, 71, joked that he 'can't retire because he has too many kids'
Suzi, 68, revealed she's been touring for 54 years, declaring: 'I’m very proud I’m still shaking my backside at that age and that’s got to be a good thing.'
She added: 'People keep trying to make me retire, I’m like “why would I when I love what I do?” '
David nodded and added cheekily: 'I can’t retire I’ve got too many kids.'
The musician has a son Sonny, four, with his third wife Susan Hallam-Wright, who he married in 2010.
Going on the road: The father-of-five, who is set to tour with fellow '70s legend Suzi Qautro (pictured) next year, made the admission during an appearance on Lorraine on Friday
Icon: David was hailed as Britain's biggest pop pin-up in his '70s heyday and has enjoyed a career spanning more than four decades
He also has children Verity, 46, and Danny, 41, from his first marriage to Maureen Neel and 30-year-old twins Billy and Kit from his marriage to Carlotta Christy.
David and Suzi will be re-living their youth by hitting the road and going on the Legends live tour, accompanied by other bands such as the Bay City Rollers and Showaddywaddy.
Essex's big break came in 1971 when he was cast as the lead - and so the first person permitted to play Jesus Christ by the Lord Chamberlain's office - in the massive West End hit Godspell.
Defiant: Suzi said: 'People keep trying to make me retire, I’m like “why would I when I love what I do?” '
Light-hearted: David nodded and added cheekily: 'I can’t retire I’ve got too many kids'
A pop career soon followed - and Essex scored huge hits with tracks such as Rock On, Gonna Make You A Star, Hold Me Close, Oh What A Circus, Silver Dream Machine (Part 1) and A Winter's Tale.
He had a successful film career, notable movies including That'll Be The Day, Stardust and Silver Dream Racer. He also continued to perform in the theatre, starring in roles including Che Guevara in Evita.
During his heyday, Essex was Britain's biggest pop pin-up. Indeed, at the height of his fame police would use dustbin lids for shields. And at one concert, a fan risked her life by jumping 20 feet from a box seat just to get near him - and survived.
Essex's pop career also helped earn him a fortune. At one point, he had 12 houses and 100 motorbikes.
Proud dad: Big family: The musician has a son Sonny, four, with his third wife Susan Hallam-Wright (pictured), who he married in 2010
Big family: He also has Verity, 46, and Danny, 41, from his first marriage to Maureen Neel and 30-year-old twins Billy and Kit from his marriage to Carlotta Christy
He wed childhood sweetheart Maureen Neal in 1970 and they separated in 1979 but did not divorce for another 17 years.
In 1984, he fell for American singer Carlotta Christy, after they met while he was living in New York.
After he had finally divorced Miss Neal, he then married Miss Christy at a tiny registry office ceremony in 1997.
They had lived in the U.S., where she raised their sons, and he divided his time between London and their New England home but they quietly divorced by the autumn of 2008 and he married Susan Hallam-Wright two years later.
Back on the road: David and Suzi (pictured in the '70s) will be re-living their youth by hitting the road and going on the Legends live tour in April
Exciting: They will be accompanied by other bands such as the Bay City Rollers and Showaddywaddy
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