Reproduced from Northern Echo 27 November, 1997

Image: The Waterman with Stock and Aitken.

Best Known For: Creating sensations Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley.

Early Life: Despite being born in Coventry, he went on to become one of the most influential figures in the music industry.

Career: After a spell in the church choir, started DJ-ing round Manchester. Then set up a company and signed Neighbours actress Kylie Minogue. The combination of catchy tunes and brilliant marketing meant that in the late 1980s they were rarely out of the top 10. After Kylie followed Sonia, Jason Donovan, Sinitta, Mel and Kim and more. Who can forget I Should Be So Lucky?

Love Life: Married to Denise Gyngell from group Tight Fit, and has two children from former marriage. But his honeymoon spell with pals Aitken and Stock ended disastrously - after a huge falling out the three barely speak to each other any more.

Don't Mention: The pop world's master manager couldn't read or write for years.

Quote: "I made £80 million. It would have been twice that if I'd known how to read."

Tonight: In Best Friends: Pete And Keith (BBC2, 10.20pm).