Simon Peter Ellis is an English songwriter, producer, musician and musical director who has worked with many artists including the Spice Girls, Britney Spears, Westlife, S Club 7, East 17, and music mogul Simon Fuller. Ellis co-wrote and produced the chart topping S Club 7 hits "Two in a Million", "Never Had a Dream Come True" and "Don't Stop Movin'", the latter winning ITV record of the year award in 2001 and "Best British Single" at the Brit Award 2002.

Career

Early career

In 1988, Ellis co-formed the band Ellis, Beggs & Howard consisting of himself, Nick Beggs and Austin Howard. Their first single, "Big Bubbles, No Troubles" reached number 41 in the UK charts.. The band split c. 1990 during the sessions for a second album. In 1994, Ellis took up his first musical director job with the band D:Ream. He toured with them for a couple of years until he then went on to join East 17 as part of their live band on promotional tours.

19 Entertainment

In 1997, Ellis got his major break as a musician when was head hunted by Simon Fuller, for the then new project, the Spice Girls. Fuller brought Ellis into the world of 19 Entertainment and gave him the job as the girls musical director. Ellis went on to securing a publishing deal from Fuller, where he wrote and produced chart topping records for a variety of artists. As of 2023, Ellis continues to work with Fuller at the rebranded XIX Entertainment.

Spice Girls

Ellis made TV appearances with the girls, and was the mastermind behind all of their concerts and world tours through to 2019. Due to commitments with the group Westlife in the summer of 2019, Ellis did not musically direct the Spice World – 2019 Tour.

S Club 7

The producer has worked with English group S Club 7, dating back to the late 1990s. He co-wrote and produced three top five UK singles with the band, including two number ones. He has toured with the group on all of their live concert tours as the musical director.

Britney Spears

During 2009, Ellis was appointed the role of Musical Director for Britney Spears's The Circus Starring Britney Spears, consequently leading on to 2011 when he once again was asked to MD for Spears' Femme Fatale Tour.

Westlife

In 2019, Ellis reunited with Westlife, whom he worked with on two of their past concert tours − Where We Are Tour (2010) and Gravity Tour (2011), and was appointed the musical director for their comeback 2019 The Twenty Tour. This continued into 2020 for which Ellis was their MD and keyboard player for the Stadiums in the Summer Tour.

Personal life

Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Ellis lived with his mother and brother in his early years. Growing up he attended Swain House School followed by Hanson School, before then going on to study at Bradford Art School and Preston Art School where he graduated with a BA Honours in Graphic Design. Ellis now resides in Hebden Bridge.

Concert tours

Ellis has been involved as the musical director, mixer and/or keyboard player in the following concert tours, gigs and TV appearances:

Britney Spears

Emma Bunton

Spice Girls

S Club 7

Westlife

Awards and nominations

ITV Record of the Year

Brit Award

The Ivor Novello Awards