How Noddy Holder went from a tin bath to becoming a national treasure

As Noddy Holder celebrates his 80th birthday, he reflects on going from tin baths in a Walsall council house, to becoming a national treasure.

"I don't think a day goes by when I'm out and about that somebody doesn't shout 'it's Christmas' at me. Of course, in December, about 50 times a day," Holder joked.

The former Slade frontman has enjoyed a career spanning six decades, from touring the world with the band, to voicing characters like Banger in Bob the Builder, and Dudley Sidebottom in Cadbury's advert.

In 2014, Holder, who was born in the Caldmore area, was given the freedom of Walsall.

Although he has toured the world, the Black County town is still held dear to his heart.

"I was born in a house on a hill and it was full of damp. You had a middle room where you lived and you had a small front room that opened out onto the street.

"Being born in 1946, the only way you'd have a bath was in a tin bath in front of a coal fire on a Friday night. You'd have a bath once a week," he recalled.

Despite his humble beginnings, he is thankful for all he was able to achieve.

"It's a thing called wishing on a star, I know I've been jammy.

"I've got too big an ego to say I haven't got talent, and a lot of it's to do with talent, but I've been damn lucky as well.

"I've been in the right place at the right time, but I've been in the wrong place at the wrong time lots of times as well," he said.

The Walsall star was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2018 and was originally given six months to live, but responded well to experimental chemotherapy.

Slade was formed in Wolverhampton in 1966 and have enjoyed enormous success, with hits including Mama Weer All Crazee Now, Cum On Feel the Noize and festive favourite, Merry Xmas Everybody.

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