Lolly

Emerging toward the close of the late-nineties surge in mainstream pop acts, the bright, candy-coated recordings of squeaky-voiced singer Lolly targeted listeners even younger than the pre-teen fans already drawn to chart favorites Steps and Billie Piper. Anna Kumble, born in 1978 in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, had previously worked as a model, earned a performing-arts degree, and danced in Starlight Express before producers Nick Foster and Mike Rose recruited her to front their latest project under the stage persona “Lolly.” The character’s vivid Day-glo costumes, signature pigtails, and nursery-rhyme-inflected pop were crafted expressly for primary-school listeners.

Her first release, the 1999 single “Viva La Radio,” climbed to number six; it was soon succeeded by a Top Five remake of Toni Basil’s “Mickey” and by the aptly named debut album My First Album. Nominated for Best British Newcomer at the 2000 Brit Awards, she issued the follow-up Pick ’N’ Mix, yet disappointing sales prompted Polydor to end the contract. Reverting to her given name, she hosted children’s programs on Nickelodeon, CBBC, and CITV while supplying backing vocals for the novelty act Fast Food Rockers on their album It’s Never Easy Being Cheesy. She later established herself as a regular presence on the British pantomime circuit and has occasionally revived the Lolly identity for university tours.