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The year 2000 feels like a millennium ago. At the turn of the century much was anticipated on Merseyside, as it was around the globe. Nokia was making way for Samsung whilst the Millennium Bug loomed large. Liverpool One wasn’t even a thing yet.

Although hover-boards and robots failed to materialise, for some in the city, dreams were being realised. From soap stars to sportsmen, we’ve tracked 17 celebrities with Merseyside associations who were making waves at the turn of the millennium, to find out what they are up to now.

Michael Branch

When Michael Branch arrived on the scene at Goodison he was billed as Everton’s answer to Robbie Fowler. The talented teen had an eye for goal and showed signs of promise early on, yet his potential was never realised.

In 2000 his spell at the Toffees came to an end. Following periods playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bradford City, the England Under 20 International’s life took a turn for the worse. Branch became embroiled in Liverpool’s underworld and in 2012 the former starlet was sentenced to seven years in jail for drug possession with intent to supply. He’s currently serving his time at HMP Walton.

Craig Phillips

Things have gone from strength-to-strength for Craig Phillips since his Big Brother win in 2000 and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

The popular builder won the inaugural version of the hit reality show where after winning, he announced he’d be donating the £70,000 prize money to his friends beleaguered daughter who- suffering complications from Down Syndrome- required heart surgery.

After a procession of television presenting jobs relating to property development (and a very funny cameo on Bo’ Selecta), in 2005 Phillips setup the largest construction training academy in the Northwest.

A patron of the Down Syndrome Association and road safety charity Bike, his outstanding philanthropic work over the last ten years are a measure of the man, as is the five million pounds he reportedly has in the bank. Not bad for a bricklayer from Seaforth.

The Bandits

The Bandits are one of Liverpool’s most niche bands of recent times. At the beginning of the twenty-first century they were gearing up for an exceptional couple of years, refining their jangly, troubadour style for Merseyside audiences.

They established their own music night at the Zanzibar on Seal Street in 2001, The Band Wagon, which spawned pretty much every successful Liverpool band of the era. The Zutons and The Coral owe a considerable debt to the monthly event, which proved the perfect environment for building a fanbase.

After some personal problems, lead guitarist Gary ‘Bandit’ Murphy later performed with Gary Mavers of The La’s, playing stripped down versions of their songs on a handful of bespoke occasions. Murphy and other former Bandit John Robertson also joined Pete Doherty onstage at Glastonbury in 2008.

Although they enjoyed only minimal mainstream success, fondness for The Bandits has only increased since the 2000s.

Bernard Diomede

Bernard Diomede arrived on Merseyside in 2000 as one of Gerrard Houllier’s marquee, summer signings. A World Cup Winner in 1998 - starting three games for France in the competition - expectations were high for the mercurial winger. It’s somewhat of an understatement to say the French international underperformed.

Playing only two games for Liverpool, in January the following year he was loaned out to Le Havre in Ligue 1. He never played in a red shirt again.

Since retiring however, Diomede has atoned for his terrible shift on Merseyside. In 2007 he setup the Bernard Diomede Academy that educates girls and boys sport - as well as maths and literature - at Issy Les Moulineaux, a ward on the outskirts of Paris.

With 74 pupils learning football as well as the classics, we’ll let him off for his Anfield aneurism at the end of the 90s.

Jennifer Ellison

In 2000 Jennifer Ellison was the darling of UK media. Her role as chanteuse Emily Chadwick on Brookside established her as a national sex symbol, yet she had more strings to her bow than T&A.

Ellison would go on to enjoy a string of acting successes, most notably playing Meg Giry in a film version of Phantom of The Opera. Her modelling career also went from strength-to-strength. in 2004 FHM named her the World’s Sexiest Blonde, finishing ahead of Victoria Silvstedt and Britney Spears.

Now married with three children and residing on Merseyside, much of her energy goes into The Jennifer Ellison Fame Academy, where she offers masterclasses in dance, drama and singing.

Robin Reid

Robin Reid is one of the most underrated, unappreciated British boxers of recent times. A middleweight world champion of pop star looks, at the turn of the century he had the world in his gloves. Having lost his belt to the tough ‘Sugar Boy’ Malinga in 1997, from 2000 onwards the Runcorn fighter started a run of victories that would put him back into title contention.

The ‘Grim Reaper’ never would retain his WBC title however, but his handsome face and all-action style earned him many plaudits. Carl Froch would describe him as his toughest fight.

Reid made an unlikely foray into the world of cinema in 2010 on ‘Killer Bitch’ - drafted in after Katie Price’s then boyfriend Alex Reid (no relation) walked off set. The Sunday Herald dubbed it ‘the worst film ever made’.

Tida Karoui

After winning the Miss Merseyside crown in 2000, the world was Tida Karoui’s Lobster. It turned out to be more like crabsticks.

Shortly after her pageant victory Tida started girl group Monroe, who threatened the charts less than a pacifist playing the triangle.

In recent years the singer has reinvented herself however, creating an online vintage store in her own name. Still modelling at 40- and looking as good as ever- the local beauty may well be about to deliver on that year 2000 hype.

Robert Carlyle

In the millennium year gangster film The 51st State was filmed in Liverpool. Stars Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Carlyle became honorary scousers if only for a few months but it’s a shame the Scottish actor couldn’t learn to speak like one.

Despite an impressive cast, upon release the film was panned by critics, with Carlyle’s Liverpool accent coming in for particular criticism. It’s a shame as he’d done so well with the role of psychotic Hillsborough survivor Albie in Cracker three years previously.

Many would argue that the image of Samuel Jackson walking up Bold Street was worth the reported thirty million pound budget, however.

Despite his flop on Merseyside, Robert Carlyle remains one of the UK’s best-known actors. He followed The 51st state with Once Upon A Time In The Midlands and 28 Weeks Later (which were much better), as well as a string of successful theatre appearances.

Noted for his authenticity and down-to-earth style, this year the Scotsman made his directing debut with the Legend of Barney Thompson. Robert Carlyle is a class act - whatever year he finds himself in.

Christian Ealey

Christian Ealey is best remembered as the cool, happy-go-lucky scouser Matt Musgrove on Brookside, a role he enjoyed up until 2000.

One of many Brookside characters who enjoyed local fame, Ealey would form rock band Tramp Attack in 2001, alongside soon-to-be Zuton Dave McCabe.

He also played with local legends Edgar Jones and Candie Payne in Edgar Jones and the Jones’, as well as continuing to act on TV soap Hollyoaks.

Tramp Attack continue to play sporadically in the city, although with new band members.

John Power

Hailing from Allerton, John Power is one of Liverpool’s favourite sons. In 2000 the former La was coming to terms with the demise of second band Cast, who enjoyed a string of hits throughout the nineties including ‘Alright’ and ‘Flying’.

A cheeky chappy who could be seen regularly around town having a pint, Power has since turned his attention to acting, as well as continuing with his music. The talented scouser recently played John Lennon in ‘Lennon’- a role which he garnered much praise for.

His old band Cast recently confirmed that they’re working on a new album - expect more from Power in 2016.

Mel C

2000 was the year that the Spice Girls parted company, yet Mel C continued to scale the heights of the music industry.

Their final studio album ‘Forever’ was released in November of that year - it would go Platinum, as did all of the Spice Girls records. Two years previously Melanie Chilsolm had made the first tentative steps toward a solo career alongside Bryan Adams, with the release of ‘When You’re Gone’. By 2000 she had two number one singles under her belt and an album that had sold in excess of a million copies worldwide.

Mel C continues to be an active, successful performer. Last year she toured with Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and in recent years has made a return to stage - one of her first passions - playing the role of Mary Magdalene in a West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

The Widnesian songstress is also a judge on Asia’s Got Talent where she has cultivated a strong, if somewhat unlikely, following. Her evergreen success shows that form is temporary - class is permanent.

Neil Fitzmaurice

In the year 2000 Neil Fitzmaurice became a household name. Since starring in cult Gangster flick Going Off Big Time - which gets better with age - the Liverpool writer and actor has enjoyed a stellar career that shows no sign of slowing.

The only person to feature in Peep Show, Phoenix Nights and The Office - arguably the three best British sitcoms of all time - Fitzmaurice’s acting portfolio is unique.

Currently starring in hit Sky 1 drama Mount Pleasant and resident MC at the popular Laughterhouse Comedy Club, Fitzmaurice’s upward trajectory since his emergence at the millennium gets more impressive with each year that passes.

David Weir

David Weir joined the Blue Boys in 1999, becoming club captain under two managers while earning the bulk of his Scottish caps playing on Merseyside.

Swapping Glasgow for Liverpool, he was a firm fan favourite from the get-go and returned to Goodison in a coaching role in 2012, under fellow Scotsman David Moyes. He left the club when Moyes went to Manchester United.

Ralf Little

In the Millennium year, The Royle Family was at the peak of its powers. Coming into its final series in 2000, Ralf Little - who played scouser Jim Royle’s son - was one of the most recognisable young actors in the country, and would go on to enjoy film and TV success with 24 Hour Party People and Two Pints of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps.

Since The Royle Family, Little has played a lot of charity football matches. Last year he became involved in an embittered, public row with professional footballer and ex-flatmate Clarke Carlisle, who tried to kill himself after suffering depression and alcoholism. The infamous Twitter argument saw Little accuse Carlisle of ‘lies, stolen bankcards and selfishness’. Not Lurcio’s finest hour. He continues to act and recently featured in ITV cop show Lewis.

Space

In 2000, Space were writing the album Love You More Than Football, after enjoying a number of hits in the Nineties. ‘Female Of The Species’ catapulted the Liverpool rockers into the mainstream, where they developed a cult following that continues to this day.

In 2009, the bands drummer Andy Parle tragically died after an unexplained fall on a Dingle road - an incident that hit Liverpool’s music community hard. Last year, Space were joined by fellow Britpop band Republica on their 20th anniversary tour. They have since announced a new album scheduled for March 2016.

Tina O’Brien

Although Tina O’Brien was a star of Manchester Soap Coronation Street, in 2000 the story of her teenage pregnancy made its way down the M62 and around the country.

Playing sixteen year old Sarah Louise Platt, O’Brien’s pregnancy won Storyline of the Year at The British Soap Awards and for about six months you couldn’t pick up a paper without seeing her grid in it.

After quitting Corrie in 2007 to pursue bigger roles, O’Brien returned to the show this year, looking oddly the same age. It’s like my next door neighbour’s millennium party was last week.

Cherie Blair

Successful barrister, former Waterloo resident and wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Cherie Blair is one of the most recognisable ‘First Ladies’ in UK history.

In 2000 she was in full pomp, escorting her husband on official visits to Ireland and controversially, Russia. However the Liverpool native is a successful professional in her own right.

A Barrister QC, Cherie specialises in employment, discrimination and public law, and on occasion has represented claimants taking on the UK government. Holding political views further to the left of her husband, Cherie has been an integral part of various social campaigns in recent years, encompassing women’s rights, street weapons and healthcare.

Set up in 2008, The Cherie Blair Foundation For Women continues to support and empower women around the world. Although she’s less in the public eye than at the turn of the century, Blair’s civic work has continued unabated.