90s music legend's 'struggles' after being left penniless and homeless 'Dark time in life'

90s pop star Antony Costa opened up about having no money after the band Blue split up, and how he was forced to turn his life around. He is currently playing Nikos in Mamma Mia: The Party, which features music from ABBA, and has reunited with Blue, as the band are going around the world for a series of live performances.

Antony has come a long way over the last twenty years, as he opened up about the "dark" time in his life after being forced to give up his £7k a month home to move back in with his parents after Blue's split in 2005.

The music star went from earning £250,000 a month as part of the band to just £400 a month while acting on stage, and even went to sleep on the sofa of friends before managing to turn his life around. Speaking to Express.co.uk, Antony said: "Everyone goes through bad times and no one's got a perfect life and I think when we broke up back in 2005, there was no social media, there's no social media or way of making money through that, and for me there was nothing and you had to find your own work.

"It was a struggle but I'm glad I've been through that because it gives you the incentive to work hard and just being able to enjoy yourself again. I was in my early twenties and I had to figure out how to get myself out and turn things back around.

"Was it a bad time in my life? Absolutely. Did I learn from that? 100%.

"And I know for a fact that I'll never ever go down that road again. But I'm glad I did, in a weird sort of way because it makes you appreciative of what you've got now."

Antony continued: "It's been been a learning curve, I think when you are being given a second bite of the cherry doing something that you love and when you start talking with your three mates on stage and we're still doing it and we're touring the whole of the summer with different festivals, and I've got Mamma Mia which I love, I do feel very lucky."

He has also shed an impressive amount of weight after undergoing a lifestyle overhaul to take on the role of Nikos, and gives the role credit for turning his life around and giving him the motivation to get fit.

He said: "I thank Mamma Mia for changing my life because I thought, 'I can't keep running up and down stairs being out of breath, you know, I'm in my early 40s, I've got kids to look after as well."

Costa shared his simple trick to losing weight as he said: "It's just being sensible with what you eat, I'm trying to prepare healthy meals and take them to Mamma Mia, and I feel so much better for it. Sometimes I'll be on the treadmill in the gym just singing to myself, so I'm learning how to breathe. An old vocal coach said to me was if, if you can jog on a treadmill while singing then you're doing a good job because it's all about your breathing technique and stamina."

Antony Costa is currently starring as Nikos in Mamma Mia! The Party at London's O2 until 4 September 2025. Book tickets at mammamiatheparty.co.uk