Ian Dickson | |
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Born |
Ian Ross Perrygrove 28 March 1963 Birmingham, West Midlands, England |
Residence | Queensland, Australia |
Other names | Ian Dickson, Dicko |
Occupation | Television and radio personality, producer |
Years active | 2003 - Present |
Known for | Australian Idol, The Next Great American Band and Australia's Got Talent |
Spouse(s) | Melanie Bell |
Children | Esme Perrygrove Edie Perrygrove |
Website | iandickson.com.au |
Ian Ross Perrygrove (born 28 March 1963) better known as Ian "Dicko" Dickson is an English Australian television and radio presenter, television producer, music journalist and former record company executive and talent scout. He is best known as a talent judge on Australian Idol, The Next Great American Band and more recently Australia's Got Talent. Dicko spent over twenty years working in the record industry in both the U.K. and Australia, working inside iconic labels such as Creation Records, Sony, A&M and BMG. Dicko has worked with big music acts including Celine Dion, Ozzy Osbourne, Primal Scream and Pearl Jam.
Dickson is the grandson of former professional footballer Ian Dickson from Dumfries. As well as playing for hometown club Queen of the South, Dickson the footballer also played for Aston Villa and Middlesbrough. It is from his time with Aston Villa that Dickson the footballer set roots in Birmingham, the home city of "Dicko" the music mogul.
Dickson graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in politics in 1985. He met his wife, Melanie Bell, in Bristol around the same time. His first job in the music industry was as Press and Promotions Manager for Creation Records, and managed bands including The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, Felt, Weather Prophets, My Bloody Valentine and Oasis. He also wrote freelance reviews and features as a music journalist for Melody Maker and Record Mirror.