Julie Ann Potts is the wife of a Welsh tenor known as Paul Potts who won the first series of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. Paul rose to fame after contesting for the singing competition ‘BGT’ and gave a stellar performance of the song ‘Nessun Dorma’ in 2007.
Julie Ann has been married to the singer since 2003 and has often been referred to as a source of inspiration and strength to him. Paul even attributes his 2007 success to his wife and never fails to seize opportunities to gush at her.
Here Are 10 Facts About Julie Ann Potts That Would Interest You
1. Julie Ann Met Paul Potts On An Internet Chatroom
Julie Ann and her husband Paul Potts first started off from an internet chatroom conversation in 2002. The duo spent lengthy weeks exchanging messages before they took it up a notch and started sending photos of themselves.
They finally took their texting further by meeting up one weekend and from there, their story blossomed. They met and went ten-pin bowling and afterward went on a walk at the seaside in Mumbles.
In an interview with ‘Mirror,’ Julie said that the man she chatted with, in the chat room was exactly who she met in real life and that he was a really sweet and sensitive person.
She also detailed their Christmas engagement and told of how it was the sweetest Christmas gift she could have gotten. A year after their back and forth texting and eventual meet-up, Julie and Paul tied the knot in 2003.
2. Her Husband Worked Many Jobs To Make Ends Meet
While growing up, Paul Potts did not have all the rosy things life had to offer. He was the second of four kids who lived a not-so-wealthy life. Born on the 13th of October 1970 in Kingswood, Bristol, he was raised in Fishponds.
The singer’s father, Roland Pott was a bus driver who struggled to make ends meet. His mother, Yvonne Potts nee Higgins worked as a supermarket cashier in other to help her husband.
Paul was raised alongside his sister and two brothers. He had to get a job after he left school in 1987. He worked at places like Tesco, Waitrose, and part-time at Debenhams. However, before his rise to fame, Paul worked as a salesperson for ‘The Carphone Warehouse’.
3. Paul Potts Faced Bullying As A Child
As a child and teenager, Paul faced bullying. The winner of Britains Got Talent in 2007 admitted to being seriously bullied especially in school. He, at the time, could not even fathom why he was being subjected to such treatment.
Paul Potts remembers being pushed from behind to be thrown out of a window and having his head stitched a couple of times from injuries sustained. He also had a brick swung at him and had to dodge to save himself. Eventually, Paul sought and found solace and peace in joining the school choir.
The bullying, he admitted had an effect on him but as he was contacted by some of his schoolmates who felt guilty for their ill-treatment towards him, he realized that he had forgiven them. He said that there was no point in carrying the thoughts and pain in mind.
4. The Pay From Her Job Was Barely Enough To Care For Her Home
Julie Ann Potts worked as a customer service representative at Admiral Insurance. She earned a salary of 14,000 pounds a month and this was only enough to cover the mortgage on the house she shared with her husband.
Things began to move really bad for them when her husband was faced with a couple of unfortunate incidents that kept him away from work and in the hospital. The couple struggled to survive the period on Julie’s pay and Potts 60 pounds a week incapacity benefit. Eventually, they ran into a huge debt.
5. She Has Always Been A Supportive Wife
In the midst of all these issues, Ann never felt too frustrated to attempt leaving her husband. She stood by him and supported all his decisions and dreams. The Opera singer always praises her as he insists she made him who he is today.
Julie Ann was the one who encouraged her husband to compete in the reality competition which he won in 2007. She also encouraged him to visit the National Debt Line when they were neck-deep into debt. As a result of this, they realize how much they owed in debt and began to plan on how to begin payment.
Julie also came to the rescue and took care of certain bills when her husband was incapacitated and couldn’t work. She stuck by the now-famous tenor when he was at his lowest.
6. Julie Ann Encouraged Her Husband’s Cosmetic Procedure
Faced with so many challenges and bullying, Paul had an issue with his teeth that was almost impossible to ignore. From the bullying and ill-treatment he faced, he had a bridge on his front teeth that posed a threat to his dentures.
The Bristol-born narrates how uncomfortable he was with it and how it affected his self-confidence. He also told a tale of his encounter with Michael Barrymore on his television music show in 1999. Though Michael was impressed by Paul’s singing, he still commented on his teeth.
Julie’s husband admitted that because of his teeth, he was unable to smile at his wedding. However, after he won BGT in 2007, he had an offer from a dentist to fix his teeth for free. This procedure was fully supported by his wife who only wants the best for him.
She said she wanted him to get his self-confidence back and smile more often. Since the procedure had nothing to do with show business, Ann had no problem with it.
7. Julie Has Never Been Money Driven
As you may have guessed from about two points ahead, Julie isn’t one to worry about wealth. She has been through the lowest point in her life and made it out alive. This is one thing she is grateful for.
Julie in a statement said that she could live a happy life with no debt and just enough money to handle daily bills. Emphasizing this, the couple who are now quite wealthy to splurge on houses and cars still live in their three-bedroom terrace house. The same one they lived in before her husband rose to fame.
8. Julie Ann Suffers From Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
The ever-supportive wife of famous ‘One Chance’ album singer, Paul Potts has been plagued with an unfortunate ailment. Julie Ann suffers from Polycystic ovary syndrome which prevents her from producing eggs regularly. She is also prone to infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods.
As a result of this, she is unable to have kids of her own. Julie, since her husband’s win, has begun treatments for this. She said she would have to resort to IVF if the treatments don’t work. Paul and his wife may have enough money to keep them happy but they also admitted to wanting children of their own and would do whatever they can to make it happen.
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9. The Rom-Com Biopic ‘One Chance’ Mirrors Her Romance And Relationship With Paul Potts
‘One Chance’ is a romantic comedy about the life of the Welsh tenor and his romance with his wife. The film which is Paul’s memoir mirrors his childhood, rise to fame, and eventual love story and marriage to Julie Ann.
It was published By Weinstein Books and Paul Potts’s character was played by James Corden. Julie Ann’s character was represented by Welsh actress Alexandra Roach. She was the star of the movie and Paul dedicated the movie to her.
10. Julie Ann And Paul Potts Have A ‘Jokey’ Relationship
The inspiration for the memoir ‘One Chance’, have a very interesting relationship. The couple who refer to themselves as a ‘package’ tend to joke a lot with themselves. Of course, these jokes are all in their ‘lovi-doviness’.
Julz, as Paul calls his loving wife considers her husband to be a baby and a handful. In another light, they both love spending time with each other as Julie tours with her husband most times.
Also, they get to share whatever free time they have, vacationing or remodeling their home. Paul’s wife even shares in her husband’s pre-performance jitters and still offers support when needed.
Similarly, she doesn’t feel threatened by other women who may be attracted to her husband, especially now that he has fame and money.
