Jay Aston - Bucks Fizz

Bucks Fizz

Aston was one of the four original members of Bucks Fizz when they were formed in 1981 to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest that year. They won with Making Your Mind Up and the song went to number one in many countries, including the United Kingdom. The group went on to become one of the top selling groups of the 1980s and scored many hit single and albums over the next few years, including two more British Number 1s: The Land Of Make Believe and My Camera Never Lies. Aston's interest in fashion and design came into good use while with the group as she designed many of the group's stage outfits and created many memorable images. In 1983 she performed the lead vocal to the song When We Were Young, which went on to become one of the group's biggest hits.

Aston became known for her love of physical exercise and released a keep-fit album in early 1984 called Shape Up and Dance. This activity however also led to her becoming the victim of an attack while out jogging. She fought off the attacker and recovered well from the incident, which became the subject of newspaper coverage.

In December 1984, while on tour, Bucks Fizz were involved in a road accident in which Aston, along with the other members of the group were injured. By this time, tensions within the group had risen to the point that Aston was eager to leave, but was still under contract. However, the following year, she left the group in acrimonious circumstances. Aston became the subject of many newspaper headlines on her sudden departure where it emerged that she had been having an affair with the group's producer, Andy Hill, who was also the husband of Bucks Fizz creator, Nichola Martin. It was also revealed that after the affair was discovered, Aston attempted suicide, which left her hosptalised for two days. The group's management company took Aston to court under the terms of her contract but later agreed to release her. An injunction however was placed on her against commencing a solo career, which took two years to settle and left Aston on the brink of financial ruin.