Known professionally as Omar, Omar Lye-Fook MBE is a singer, songwriter and actor. After a studying music at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester and the Guildhall School of Music in London, he released his debut album in 1990. His best-known single, There’s Nothing Like This charted the following year.
Since then his musical career has seen him collaborate with artists including Stevie Wonder. He was awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire in the late Queen’s 2012 Birthday Honours List for services to music, and in 2017 was one of the Artists for Grenfell, performing in the charity single, Bridge Over Troubled Water. In 2009 he made his acting debut in Che Walker’s musical, Been So Long and in 2022 took on the role of Avery Baker in EastEnders. Omar became a father to twin girls in 2008.
What Makes Omar
Happy
My children, my girls. They’re doing really well.
Sad
All the division that's going on in the world right now. The stuff to make us hate each other – or pretend to hate each other, because in everyday life, I think people get on quite naturally. the enemy. Now I'm older, I'm closer to the end than the beginning and I've got less time for that kind of nonsense.
I’ve got more time for all the fun stuff, or all the stuff that unites us: food, music, good grooves.
Confident
Not much. I've never actually thought of being confident. I'm proud of what I do, I've been in the music business for 40 years now, so think I'm starting to get a handle on how it works. You know what I mean? But there's always something that throws you a curveball, so you can never be 100% confident. You just keep on keeping on.
Reflective
I've bumped into old friends, and I still work with people from school and college, as well. When you reminisce, is that the same as reflecting?
Creative
Marijuana. This is a time old tradition with myself that started with my dad, funnily enough. It gets me the mood. I have breaks from it, but I tend to find when I start using it again, my creativity jumps up 200%.
Unique
I think it's the way I combine different musical styles. I was classically trained, and blend music together unlike anywhere else. We have a mixture in the English culture, you know? The Afro Caribbean vibe and Knees Up Mother Brown. You can't get that in the States, you can't get in Africa. You have to come from England to get that. I think I'm a product of that.
Soultasia featuring Omar with Soul II Soul, Shakatak, Alison Limerick and other soul artists takes place at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Friday 15 August 2025. A lifetime celebration of Soul and Disco, featuring star-studded and legendary performers with DJ Darren Bull, hosted by Ian Reading. Tickets start from £25 for General Admission, or level up to Golden Circle VIP to get Q-jump, a front row spot guaranteed for the show and access to the VIP Garden with premium bar and posh loos.
Gates open from 3.00pm and general admission tickets cost from £25.00. This is an over 18s event and tickets are available from eventbrite.co.uk
