“My parents never told me to get a real job. They always said, 'Go for it! If this is what you want to do, work hard.' They were always very supportive.”

Irish singer, songwriter, television presenter and multi-instrumentalist

Imelda May, born Imelda Mary Higham, is an Irish singer, songwriter, television presenter, and multi-instrumentalist. She is known for her rockabilly revival style and for a career that has moved across music and television. Her work is often associated with rockabilly, with a sound rooted in older styles of popular music. She has also been compared with female jazz singers such as Billie Holiday, which reflects the control and phrasing often noted in her performances.