English singer and actor Olly Alexander was BOTD in 1990. Born in Harrogate, Yorkshire, he studied drama at the Hereford College of Arts. He began his professional career in the BBC children’s TV series Summerhill, and made his screen debut in Jane Campion’s 2009 film Bright Star. Further roles followed in TV series Skins and Penny Dreadful, and the films Enter the Void and The Riot Club. He rose to wider public attention as the lead singer of pop band Years and Years releasing the UK No 1 single Kings, following by their successful debut album Communion. He is best known for his starring role in It’s A Sin, Russell T. Davies’ 2021 TV drama about a group of gay friends in 1980s London dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Screened during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the series became an international ratings success, prompting conversations about the social stigma experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS. Alexander earned particular praise for his role as a party boy in denial about his illness, who is isolated from his friends by his homophobic family. Following the success of It’s A Sin, he participated in a number of safe sex and anti-bullying initiatives and spoke publicly about his struggles to accept his sexuality. After leaving Years and Years, he released his first solo album Polari in 2025, named in tribute to the underground slang used by England’s LGBTQ community and featuring contributions from celebrity fan Ian McKellen.