Mike Osman is an English radio presenter, impressionist and entertainer. He was born in Millbrook, Southampton, England in August 1959, the fourth of seven brothers. After leaving Millbrook Community Secondary School at 16, he was briefly an apprentice metal-worker before joining the Royal Navy as a marine engineer and mechanic. He entered a local talent competition in 1974 at the Saints public house, Millbrook and didn't make the top 3, television celebrity Hylda Baker was the judge and the top prize was �100, a lot of money back in 1974. Osman was only 15 years old at the time, cheeky smile and you could see that the potential was there. The contest was won by a female singer, singing 'Wouldn't It Be Lovely' and second place went to mime artist Pete Allen, winning �40, third place went to piano player Christine Ings who pocketed �20. This was the start of Osman's career. He left the Navy in 1982, shortly before the Falkland Islands conflict, and became a salesman briefly before joining the family roof tiling business. In his spare time he started working in holiday camps and clubs as a semi-professional entertainer, turning full-time in 1984. [More at Wikipedia]

United Kingdom