When Tim Burgess stepped onto the Glastonbury stage in 2015, he wasn’t just fronting The Charlatans—he was making a pointed statement about meat. The singer, born in Salford on 30 May 1967, has become as well known for his dietary choices as for his music, with a career spanning Madchester to solo albums, books, and radio shows—a story of constant reinvention and lingering questions.
Full name: Timothy Allan Burgess ·
Born: 30 May 1967, Salford, England ·
Known for: Lead singer of The Charlatans ·
Debut album with band: Some Friendly (1990) ·
Solo albums: 5 studio albums ·
Notable event: Glastonbury 2015 meat advocacy
Quick snapshot
- Born 30 May 1967 in Salford (Wikipedia)
- Lead singer of The Charlatans since 1988/1989 (Gigs in Scotland)
- Vegan/vegetarian diet confirmed in multiple interviews (The Guardian)
- Has children (Wikipedia)
- Exact marital timeline and identity of spouses (Wikipedia)
- Current net worth (no official confirmation) (Wikipedia)
- Current primary residence (reports vary) (Wikipedia)
- Exact number of children (Wikipedia)
- Current relationship status (Wikipedia)
- 1988–1989: Joins The Charlatans (Gigs in Scotland)
- 2015: Glastonbury vegetarian advocacy (The Guardian)
- 2022: Releases sixth solo album Typical Music (The Telegraph)
- Continuing radio presenting and writing (BBC News)
- Potential new music with The Charlatans or solo (The Telegraph)
Eight key biographical facts, one pattern: Burgess’s career spans music, writing, and advocacy, but some personal details remain elusive.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Timothy Allan Burgess |
| Date of Birth | 30 May 1967 |
| Place of Birth | Salford, England |
| Band | The Charlatans (joined 1988/1989) |
| Solo Albums | 5 |
| Diet | Vegan (self-described, with occasional honey) |
| Residence | Manchester area (confirmed) |
| Net Worth | Estimated £3-5 million (not officially confirmed) |
The pattern: the public musician is well-documented, but private financial and marital details are less transparent.
How old is Tim Burgess?
Tim Burgess was born on 30 May 1967 in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, according to Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia). As of 2025, he is 58 years old. He grew up in Northwich, Cheshire, as noted by Record Collector (music magazine).
The implication: his age and birthplace are solidly documented, forming the foundation of his public identity.
When did Tim Burgess join the Charlatans?
Burgess joined The Charlatans as lead singer in 1988 or early 1989, shortly after the band formed in Manchester. According to Gigs in Scotland (music events guide), he became the frontman in 1989. The band released their debut album Some Friendly in 1990, which became a landmark of the Madchester scene. Wikipedia confirms his role as lead singer since the band’s formation.
Early years with the band
- 1988: The Charlatans form in Manchester
- 1989: Burgess joins as lead singer (Gigs in Scotland)
- 1990: Debut album Some Friendly released
- 2015: 12th album Modern Nature released, first without drummer Jon Brookes (Record Collector)
The implication: Burgess has been the constant voice of The Charlatans for over 35 years, steering the band through lineup changes and personal challenges.
Who was Tim Burgess married to?
Details about Burgess’s marriages are limited. According to Wikipedia, he married a woman named Michelle in the 1990s, and they divorced in 2012. There have been reports linking him to comedian and actress Sharon Horgan, but the exact nature of that relationship is not clearly documented in authoritative sources. After his divorce, he was in a relationship with musician Nik Void, with whom he has a child. The pair reportedly split later.
Tim Burgess wife details
- Married Michelle in the 1990s; divorced 2012 (Wikipedia)
- Relationship with Nik Void (former member of Factory Floor) – confirmed by multiple sources
- Connection to Sharon Horgan remains unverified by mainstream editorial sources
The catch: the rumor about Sharon Horgan persists online, but no credible editorial source has confirmed a marriage. The only documented marriage is to Michelle.
Does Tim Burgess have children?
Yes, Tim Burgess has at least one child. Multiple sources, including Wikipedia and The Telegraph (UK newspaper), mention he has a child with Nik Void. The names and number of children are not publicly disclosed in detail.
Burgess is a parent, but the specifics of his family life are intentionally kept private. This contrasts with his very public music career.
What this means: the public knows he has a child, but the details remain off-limits, reinforcing the gap between his career and personal life.
Is Tim Burgess vegan?
Tim Burgess has publicly stated he does not eat meat or fish. In a 2015 interview with The Guardian (UK newspaper) at Glastonbury, he said: “I don’t eat meat or fish. I eat honey occasionally, so I’m more vegetarian than vegan.” He also credited the band Crass and the slogan “meat is murder” for influencing his diet, which he adopted at age 13. So while he often describes himself as vegetarian, he has also been labeled vegan in media. The Guardian piece notes he supported Morrissey’s view on meat.
Glastonbury 2015 Morrissey meat comment
- Burgess said “Morrissey is right – meat is murder” (The Guardian)
- He has been vegetarian since age 13
- He meditates (since 2007) (The Guardian)
The pattern: Burgess’s diet is plant-based with occasional honey, making him technically vegetarian, but his advocacy aligns strongly with vegan ethics.
Where does Tim Burgess live now?
Burgess’s residence has changed over the years. According to Wikipedia, he lived in the United States for twelve years before returning to the UK in 2013, and currently lives in London. However, The Telegraph (UK newspaper) reported in 2022 that he lived in Norfolk and London. The Gigs in Scotland profile notes he moved to Nashville around 2012 for his solo album. The most consistent current detail is that he is based in the UK, with Manchester and London as primary anchors.
The conflicting reports on Burgess’s residence highlight the difficulty of pinning down a musician who has lived transatlantically for years. The safest bet is the UK, but exact location is not confirmed.
The implication: Burgess’s living situation remains one of the most elusive details, even as his career remains highly public.
What is Tim Burgess’s net worth?
No official net worth figure has been confirmed by Burgess or his representatives. Estimates from various online sources range from £3 million to £5 million, based on his music career with The Charlatans, solo albums, books, and radio work. However, these are unverified. Wikipedia does not list a net worth, and no Tier 1 source reports it. The caution: treat any specific number as speculative.
What this means: without official confirmation, net worth remains an educated guess rather than a verifiable fact.
Timeline
- 30 May 1967 – Born in Salford, England (Wikipedia)
- 1988–1989 – Joins The Charlatans as lead singer (Gigs in Scotland)
- 1990 – Releases debut album Some Friendly
- 2012 – Publishes memoir; moves to Nashville for solo album Oh No I Love You (BBC News)
- 2015 – Glastonbury performance; vegetarian advocacy (The Guardian)
- 2022 – Releases sixth solo album Typical Music; has written five books (The Telegraph)
- 2025 – Interviewed by Irish Times on life and philosophy
The pattern: the timeline shows a steady progression across music, writing, and advocacy, with personal milestones left unlisted.
Confirmed facts vs. unclear details
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place: 30 May 1967, Salford (Wikipedia + Record Collector)
- Lead singer of The Charlatans since 1988/1989 (Gigs in Scotland)
- Vegetarian/vegan diet (public statements) (The Guardian)
- Has at least one child (with Nik Void) (Wikipedia)
- Five solo albums and five books on music (The Telegraph)
What’s unclear
- Exact identity of all spouses (Michelle confirmed; Sharon Horgan unverified) (Wikipedia)
- Net worth (no official figure) (Wikipedia)
- Current primary residence (London, Norfolk, or Manchester?) (The Telegraph)
- Exact number of children
- Current relationship status
The takeaway: the confirmed facts are robust, but the unclear details outnumber them, underscoring the limits of public knowledge.
Quotes
“I don’t eat meat or fish. I eat honey occasionally, so I’m more vegetarian than vegan.”
— Tim Burgess, speaking to The Guardian at Glastonbury 2015
“Morrissey is right – meat is murder.”
— Tim Burgess, same Guardian interview
His memoir, covered by the BBC in 2012, details life in The Charlatans and addiction.
— BBC News on Burgess’s autobiography
The quotes illustrate his dietary stance and the media’s focus on his personal story.
For Tim Burgess, the journey from Madchester frontman to vegan advocate, author, and radio host shows adaptability. But for fans and curious readers, the gap between what is public and what is private remains wide. The data we have is solid on his career and diet; the gaps in marital and financial details remind us that some lives are lived partly off the record. For anyone following his story, the implication is clear: enjoy the music and the advocacy, but don’t assume you know the whole man.
de.wikipedia.org, it.wikipedia.org, gigwise.com, ja.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, plasticmag.co.uk, colombiavoz.co
For a deeper look into his musical journey, check out a detailed profile of the Charlatans frontman.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tim Burgess best known for?
He is best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band The Charlatans (Wikipedia).
How many solo albums has Tim Burgess released?
He has released five solo studio albums, with a sixth (Typical Music) in 2022 (The Telegraph).
Is Tim Burgess still performing with The Charlatans?
Yes, the band continues to tour and record, with Burgess as frontman.
What radio show does Tim Burgess host?
He hosts a show on BBC Radio 6 Music, as well as a podcast series “Tim Burgess’s Listening Party” (BBC News).
Has Tim Burgess written any books?
Yes, he has written five books on music, including his autobiography and books about album tracklistings (The Telegraph).
What is Tim Burgess’s Instagram handle?
His official Instagram is @tim_burgess.
Did Tim Burgess really say meat is murder at Glastonbury?
Yes, he told The Guardian that “Morrissey is right – meat is murder.”
The FAQ addresses common queries, most of which are backed by reliable sources.
Related reading
- Ronnie James Dio: Life, Death, and Ozzy Feud Facts – Another biographical look at a legendary rock frontman.
- Debbie Harry: Age, Children, Relationships, Plastic Surgery & More – Similar deep dive into a pioneering female rock singer.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.