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Edinburgh Live
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
East 17's Brian Harvey rages 'I'm entitled to benefits' despite selling 22 million records
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info East 17's Brian Harvey, who soared to fame with the band's staggering 22 million record sales, has shockingly admitted he's on benefits despite his nineties stardom. The 50 year old former frontman, who created smash hits like Stay Another Day and If You Ever with Gabrielle, has faced financial hardship since the group parted ways in 1999 and following Tony Mortimer's exit two years prior. After an unsuccessful attempt at a solo career, Brian has retreated from the public eye, only to resurface with a startling revelation on TikTok. While puffing on a cigarette and angrily addressing "trolls" criticising his benefits claims, he exclaimed: "I'm entitled to benefits. I sold 22 million records, that's not a big-up, it's a fact!". In a video taken outside his local council building, Brian erupted with a tirade aimed at council staff declaring, "Who put Walthamstow on the map?"What are you on about, wasting your time? You wouldn't have a job here if it weren't for me paying tax on 22 million f*****g records. F**k you! F**k you!, reports the Mirror. Returning home, the East Anglian music icon – once romantically linked with Danniella Westbrook – continued ranting on TikTok: "How much tax have I paid and how much tax have you d***head trolls paid? 22 million records! Could you do that? No, you couldn't do that, you're just jealous." Despite the explosive outburst, many of Brian's followers rushed to his defence, suggesting he has every right to claim benefits, while some pondered about the whereabouts of his fortune, hinting that perhaps an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother might help bolster his bank account. Following a public spat with Tony that led to his exit from East 17, Brian made headlines for controversial remarks about ecstasy use during a radio interview. He then tried his hand at a solo career, releasing True Step Tonight in 2001. However, he found it challenging to replicate the commercial success he had enjoyed with the band. In 2006, an attempt was made to reunite all four original members of East 17 for Channel 4's Bring Back... series. Another reunion took place in 2010, but Tony departed again in 2013. Brian left once more in 2014, marking the end of the line for the Walthamstow Four. In 2005, Brian survived a severe accident outside his East London home when he fell under the wheels of his reversing Mercedes. The incident resulted in serious injuries and necessitated a lengthy recovery period. Throughout the 2010s, he occasionally surfaced in the media to talk about his ongoing struggles with mental health and financial issues. Brian has been remarkably open about his life post-fame, using social media platforms to engage directly with fans and share his experiences. In recent years, the Deep star has been trying to revive his career via YouTube and TikTok, setting up a channel to connect with his followers and share his journey. (Image: Tik Tok)
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
East 17's Brian Harvey defends claiming benefits after selling 22 million records with 90s stars
East 17 star, Brian Harvey, has taken to TikTok in an angry rant, slamming 'trolls' who say he shouldn't be claiming benefits after selling 22 million records East 17 star, Brian Harvey, has revealed he's on benefits despite shifting a staggering 22 million records with the nineties legends. Brian, 50, fronted the band from Walthamstow alongside Tony Mortimer and stormed the charts with tracks, including Stay Another Day and If You Ever, featuring Dreams star, Gabrielle. However, after the band split up in 1999 following Tony's departure in 1997, Brian stepped away from the spotlight after trying to go solo - and has now revealed his financial woes as a result. Taking to TikTok, smoking a a cigarette, ranting furiously about "trolls" who say he shouldn't be claiming benefits, he fumes: "I'm entitled to benefits. I sold 22 million records, that's not a big-up, it's a fact!" Sharing a video from outside his local council office, he can then be heard shouting: "Who put Walthamstow on the map? "What are you on about, wasting your time? You wouldn't have a job here if it weren't for me paying tax on 22 million f*****g records. F**k you! F**k you!" Returning home, Brian, who used to date Danniella Westbrook, continues on TikTok: "How much tax have I paid and how much tax have you d***head trolls paid? 22 million records! Could you do that? No, you couldn't do that, you're just jealous." Responding to the post, many fans supported Brian, saying he was "absolutely entitled" to claim benefits. However, others asked him where all his money had gone as one suggested he needed to "go on Celebrity Big Brother to make some cash". After his departure from East 17 following a public fallout with Tony after Brian made controversial comments about taking ecstasy in a radio interview, the singer attempted a solo career, releasing True Step Tonight in 2001. However, he struggled to achieve the same level of commercial success he had found with the band. In 2006, East 17 attempted a reunion with all four original members for Channel 4's Bring Back... series. In 2010 another reunion occurred, but Tony left again in 2013. In 2014, Brian quit again and that was the end of the road for the Walthamstow Four. In 2005, Brian survived a serious accident outside his home in East London after falling under the wheels of his reversing Mercedes that left him with severe injuries and required lengthy rehabilitation. Through the 2010s, he occasionally appeared in the media to discuss his subsequent struggles with mental health and financial difficulties. Brian had been refreshingly candid about his life after fame, using social media platforms to communicate directly with fans and share his experiences. In recent years, the Deep star has attempted to rebuild his career through YouTube and TikTok where he has set up a channel to connect with his followers and share his story.
