As a young schoolboy, David Essex dreamed of becoming a professional footballer and was signed up by his beloved West Ham United. But as a teenager, he developed a passion for music, which set him on a very different path, and ultimately led to superstardom. It wasn't, however, an easy start. Scraping a living on the edges of show business was a hard slog, and he endured many disappointments.
Then, aged 23, he went along to an audition for a new musical called Godspell and won the role (Jesus) that shot him to fame. Within a year he was starring in a smash hit film, That'll Be the Day, and had written and recorded his first number-one single, 'Rock On'. It was the start of Essex Mania, and a long journey of undreamt of adventure.
From Godspell to EastEnders, it's been an amazing life. And here is David's full incredible story - in his own words.