Ricky Wilson (born Charles Richard Wilson on January 19 1978 in Keighley, West Yorkshire) is the lead singer of Leeds based Indie band the Kaiser Chiefs. He attended Leeds Grammar School, where he was particularly adept at English and Art. Whilst at the Junior School he was in the school house Smeaton named after former pupil John Smeaton and referenced in the Kaiser Chiefs song "I Predict a Riot".

He is famous for his stylish blue and orange suit and stripy ties as well as his ability to "pogo" around the stage frantically while simultaneously playing the cowbell/tambourine. He is allergic to dairy, feathers and coloured toilet paper. The original "Oh My God" EP released in 2004 on Drowned In Sound records features Wilson's original drawing on the cover. His father is a producer for the BBC and was the television executive responsible for It's a Royal Knockout featuring Sarah Ferguson, Prince Edward and John Travolta amongst others. Wilson was also a guest and a guest host on the BBC comedy series Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

At 2005's Glastonbury Festival Wilson dived into the audience to drag the Kaisersaurus (a large green inflatable dinosaur) onstage, which he then draped his tie around. Wilson thinks Harry Hill would make a good Doctor Who. When he is working he goes to bed at three or four in the morning, and on his days off he turns in around 11 p.m.. Before getting involved with the music industry, Wilson used to teach, quoted on Soccer AM as being "a hard art teacher". He taught at the Leeds College of Art and Design which reflects his flair for fashion.

He won the 2006 NME Award For Best Dressed Person.

Wilson survived a hit and run incident in Leeds on May 22, 2006. He escaped with minor injuries, thanks to his trademark stage jump which made him flip over the top of the car and not get dragged under it.

1978 births | Living people | Natives of Leeds | English songwriters | English male singers | Kaiser Chiefs