Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Adam Faith

The origins of his name

Monday 17 March 2003 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

None of the obituaries of Adam Faith [10 March] seems to have noted the correct origin of his stage name, replacing Terry Nelhams, the name he was born with, writes Nicholas Faith. The story is very simple.

The young Nelhams was discovered in a Wardour Street cutting rooms sometime in 1957-58 by Nick Dewey, then a producer of advertising films. He was a Balliol friend of Jack Good, the inventor of pop TV, responsible for pioneering efforts like Six-Five Special, Oh Boy! etc. Good auditioned the young Nelhams, and took him on, but obviously felt the name had to be changed. At the time Jack was living near me – and another Oxford friend, Adam Freemantle, later a distinguished international lawyer – in the Goldhawk Road. Hence the new name.

Oddly the star never recognised his origins as it were, though I saw Jack Good recently and he confirmed the story, as does Nick Dewey.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in