Raised in Southampton, he learned to play numerous instruments during his youth, being influenced by Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and traditional Irish folk music.

His energetic drumming style is largely focused on the essential elements of the songs and he occasionally takes lead vocal duties on live performances.

Champion has a 2:1 degree in anthropology from University College London, where he completed Coldplay's line-up with Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman.

[7] After being asked about his upbringing, he said that music was "constantly on the stereo at home", which included "anything from Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Nick Cave to traditional Irish folk".

[9] His upbringing influenced him to start lessons on multiple instruments, including violin and piano from the age of eight, guitar at 12, and eventually bass and tin whistle.

[9] However, Champion did not always enjoy the classes, since he could not read music and played the songs from memory: "I watched my teacher's hand on the piano, memorized it, and ended up doing it myself".

[12] Champion's education continued in University College London, where he attained a 2:1 degree in anthropology and met Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland and Guy Berryman, eventually forming Coldplay.

[11] In 1999, he was temporarily sacked from the group by Martin over heated discussions regarding his abilities as a drummer: "Three days later, the rest of us were feeling miserable, [...] we asked him to come back.

While answering questions from fans, other members added that he "does have a very sensible head on his shoulders and when it comes to making decisions he is really good at putting valid points across and keeping everyone focused.

[19] Although Buckland and Berryman have contributed to backing vocals, Champion remained the most prominent, as seen throughout the Viva la Vida Tour (2008–10), when he performed "Death Will Never Conquer".

[24] In 2011, the drummer was part of a video for the Beat for Peace campaign, which "called on global leaders to take urgent diplomatic action" and "prevent all out conflict returning to Sudan".

[33] Noted for an energetic drumming style,[34] Champion mentioned he did not have confidence to play loud or heavy at first, something which became part of his technique: "That's my trademark – wait" and "steal the limelight at the end".

[32] When questioned about the Coldplay songs he thinks are his technical or "feel-wise" best, Champion observed that he was proud of the ones where everything was cut down to the essentials, citing "Viva la Vida" as an example: "It's just a kick drum, a bell and a little bit of timpani here and there, but it's so simple [...] We tried so many different things with that, four-beats, rock beats, everything – but nothing worked [...] There are so many intricacies on the violins, the melodies and everything, I just felt it have to be simple with no frills, just support the song [...] That's my trademark".

[43] When questioned about fame, Champion said he loves that after playing stadiums around the world, he can "disappear" back to his children (who are studying Suzuki method violin) and wife (who sings in Brian Eno's private choir).