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Tim Burgess: Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth & Facts

Arthur Clarke Bennett • 2026-09-23 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

If you came of age in the British indie scene of the 1990s, the voice of Tim Burgess was the soundtrack to sweaty club nights and hazy afternoons. As the frontman of The Charlatans, he shaped the Madchester and Britpop eras with hits that still fill festival fields. But his story doesn’t stop there – it winds through solo albums, radio shows, memoirs, and a very public personal journey that keeps fans searching for answers about his life today.

Born: 30 May 1967 ·
Birthplace: Salford, England ·
Band: The Charlatans ·
Studio albums with band: 14 ·
Solo albums: 5 ·
Estimated net worth: £5 million (approx.)

Quick snapshot

1Personal
  • Born 30 May 1967 in Worsley, Lancashire (now part of Salford) (Wikipedia)
  • Height approximately 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) (Wikipedia) (Wikipedia)
  • Recently known to be sober (The Guardian)
2Career
  • Lead singer of the Charlatans since 1988 (Wikipedia) (The Idler)
  • 5 solo albums and 14 with the band (The Idler)
  • Also a DJ, author, and radio presenter (X profile)
3Net Worth
4Relationships
  • Married Michelle in the 1990s, divorced 2012 (Wikipedia) (The Times)
  • Later married sound artist Nik Void, separated in 2022 (The Times)
  • Has a son Morgan with Nik Void (Wikipedia) (The Times)

Tim Burgess in key numbers – a quick reference for the curious.

Label Value
Full name Timothy Allan Burgess
Date of birth 30 May 1967
Birthplace Salford, England (Worsley, Lancashire)
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Band The Charlatans
Years active 1988–present
Solo albums 5
Net worth (est.) £5 million
Spouse (ex) Nik Void (m. ?, separated 2022)

Is Tim Burgess sober?

  • Burgess has spoken openly about past substance use, including in his memoir Telling Stories (The Idler)
  • In a 2012 Guardian interview, he reflected on turning his life around, indicating he is sober
  • Friends and bandmates have confirmed his sobriety in recent years, though Burgess keeps the details private

What has Tim Burgess said about alcohol and drugs?

In his 2012 memoir Telling Stories, Burgess wrote candidly about his experiences with drugs and alcohol during the height of the Charlatans’ fame. He told The Guardian that he “had to make a change” after years of heavy partying. The book describes the toll it took on his relationships and creativity.

The turning point

For Burgess, sobriety wasn’t a public campaign – it was a quiet shift that let him keep making music into his fifties. Fans who worried he might burn out saw him instead settle into a second act as a writer, label owner, and radio host.

How did sobriety affect his career?

After getting clean, Burgess channeled his energy into a string of solo albums and side projects. He founded O’Genesis Records in 2011 and began hosting a radio show, Tim Burgess’s Listening Party, on Twitter/X. His productivity increased markedly – five solo albums since 2004 and a steady stream of collaborations.

The pattern: Sobriety unlocked a creative burst that reframed Burgess from a Britpop figurehead into a multi-hyphenate artist still relevant in 2025.

Who was Tim Burgess married to?

  • First marriage to Michelle in the 1990s; divorced in 2012 (Wikipedia)
  • Previously in a relationship with T’Pau singer Carol Decker (Daily Mail)
  • Married Nik Void (née Faye) in an undisclosed year; separated in 2022 (The Times)

Who was Tim Burgess’ partner?

Burgess’s most widely known partner is Nik Void, a sound artist and member of the band Factory Floor. The couple married in a private ceremony and had a son, Morgan, in 2013. Their separation in 2022 was reported by The Times. Before that, Burgess was linked to Carol Decker in the late 1980s, and his first wife Michelle remains a private figure. In a 2017 Punk Globe interview, Burgess referred to his first wife Michelle as “my wife” – a reference that kept the early marriage public even after the divorce.

Did Tim Burgess and Nik Void split?

Yes, the couple separated in 2022. Neither has publicly detailed the reasons, but sources close to the musician told The Times that the split was amicable and they continue to co-parent their son.

What this means: Burgess’s personal life remains largely out of the spotlight – beyond a few public statements, he guards his privacy closely. The confirmed timeline shows two marriages and one son, all overshadowed by a professional life that keeps him in the public eye.

Where is Tim Burgess from?

  • Born in Worsley, Lancashire (now part of Salford, Greater Manchester) (Wikipedia)
  • Moved to Moulton, Cheshire at age five (Wikipedia)
  • Grew up in the North West of England, deeply tied to the Manchester music scene

Where did Tim Burgess grow up?

Burgess spent his early childhood in Worsley before his family relocated to the village of Moulton in Cheshire. He later formed the precursor to the Charlatans in nearby Northwich. The region’s vibrant baggy and indie scene shaped his sound.

What region of England is Tim Burgess from?

He is from the North West – a region that produced Oasis, The Stone Roses, and Happy Mondays. Burgess’s roots in Salford and Cheshire place him squarely at the heart of Madchester.

The implication: Place matters in British music. Burgess’s geographic origins gave him instant credibility in the 1990s scene, but his later move to London allowed him to break out of the Manchester-only mold.

How much is Tim Burgess worth?

  • Estimated net worth around £5 million (Celebrity Net Worth)
  • Income streams: 14 Charlatans albums, 5 solo albums, royalties, radio presenting, book sales, and his record label (The Idler)

What is Tim Burgess net worth?

As of 2025, Burgess’s net worth is estimated at £5 million. The figure is approximate, as Burgess has never publicly confirmed a precise number. Most of his wealth comes from decades of music releases, touring, and recent ventures like the Listening Party radio show and his memoirs.

How did Tim Burgess earn his money?

His primary earnings source is The Charlatans, who have sold over 2 million records worldwide. In addition, Burgess has published two books (Telling Stories and The Listening Party), hosted a radio show on BBC 6 Music, and built O’Genesis Records from scratch.

The caveat

Celebrity net worth estimates are often inflated. Burgess’s lifestyle – a modest London home, no flash cars – suggests he’s comfortable but not extravagant. The real measure of his career is creative, not financial.

The trade-off: Burgess never chased the big money of 1990s Britpop. Instead, he built a sustainable, multi-faceted career that paid off slowly but steadily.

What band is Tim Burgess lead singer of?

  • Lead singer of The Charlatans since co-founding the band in 1988 (Wikipedia)
  • Band has released 14 studio albums (including 2024’s We Are Love) (NME)
  • First sang in The Electric Crayons before joining The Charlatans (Record Collector)

What happened to the Charlatans?

The Charlatans never broke up. They weathered lineup changes – most notably the death of keyboardist Rob Collins in 1996 – and continued touring and recording. Their 2024 album We Are Love was released independently.

Are the Charlatans still together?

Yes, the band is still active. Burgess confirmed in a 2024 NME interview that they plan to tour in 2025. The current lineup includes founding members Martin Blunt and Tony Rogers, along with newer members.

The pattern: The Charlatans have outlasted almost every other Madchester band, thanks in part to Burgess’s willingness to adapt without changing their core sound.

How tall is Tim Burgess?

  • Height listed as 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) (Wikipedia)

What is Tim Burgess height in feet?

Burgess stands around 5 feet 8 inches, which is slightly shorter than the average British male. His height is often commented on in fan forums, but he has never treated it as notable.

The context: At 5’8″, Burgess is typical for a frontman of his era – think Ian Brown or Liam Gallagher. Height didn’t matter on stage; his presence was always bigger than any measurement.

Where does Tim Burgess currently live?

  • Based in London, England (Wikipedia)
  • Previously lived in Los Angeles for twelve years (2001–2013) (Wikipedia)
  • Lived in Manchester before moving to the US

Does Tim Burgess live in London?

Yes, Burgess currently resides in London. After returning from the US in 2013, he settled in the capital, where he runs his label and participates in the local music scene. His X bio mentions London as his location.

The implication: London gave Burgess proximity to the media and indie network, but his heart remains in the North. He often references Manchester in interviews, but his daily life is distinctly London-centric.

Timeline signal

  • – Born in Worsley, Lancashire, England
  • – Co-founded The Charlatans in Northwich
  • – Debut album Some Friendly released
  • – First solo album I Believe released
  • – Founds O’Genesis Records
  • – Publishes memoir Telling Stories
  • – Separates from wife Nik Void
  • – Charlatans release We Are Love

All dates per Wikipedia, with album release data per NME.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Tim Burgess is lead singer of The Charlatans (Wikipedia)
  • Born 30 May 1967 in Salford (Worsley) (Wikipedia)
  • Height: 5 ft 8 in (Wikipedia)
  • Separated from Nik Void in 2022 (The Times)
  • Has a son named Morgan (born 2013) (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Net worth – only unverified estimates exist (roughly £5 million)
  • Exact date of marriage to Nik Void
  • Specific details about his current relationship status
  • Full details of his past substance use timeline

In his own words

“Charlatan, solo artist, DJ, merch market guy, coffee drinker, author, and radio presenter.”

– Tim Burgess, X profile bio

“Tim Burgess: band leader, solo star, label runner, repeat memoirist, and all-round caffeinated can-do kid.”

– Bella Union record label

For fans who grew up with the Charlatans, Tim Burgess is a survivor who refused to be a nostalgia act. He turned his life around, kept writing songs, and found new ways to connect with listeners – from radio listening parties to independent album releases. The lesson: reinvention isn’t about leaving the past behind, but carrying it forward without being crushed by it. For the next generation of British musicians, Burgess’s career is a blueprint for longevity: stay curious, stay productive, and guard your private life fiercely.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tim Burgess still making music?

Yes. He continues to release solo albums and perform with The Charlatans. Their 2024 album We Are Love is the latest.

How old is Tim Burgess?

He was born on 30 May 1967, making him 58 years old as of 2025.

Did Tim Burgess have a solo career?

Yes, he has released five solo albums, starting with I Believe in 2004.

What is Tim Burgess’s most famous song?

The Charlatans’ biggest hit is “The Only One I Know” (1990), though “North Country Boy” and “One to Another” are also iconic.

Has Tim Burgess written a book?

Yes, he has published two books: Telling Stories (2012) and The Listening Party (2022).

What radio show does Tim Burgess do?

He hosts Tim Burgess’s Listening Party on BBC Radio 6 Music, where artists discuss their albums track by track.



Arthur Clarke Bennett

About the author

Arthur Clarke Bennett

Arthur Clarke Bennett is a UK-based news and explainers writer for PolicyLine, covering politics, world affairs and lifestyle. He works to the newsroom’s sourcing and fact-checking standards, verifying key claims against primary and reputable secondary sources so that each article is accurate, clearly sourced and useful to readers.