A TRUE great of the variety circuit is set to wow the crowd in Rhyl once more.
Musical impressionist Joe Longthorne performs at the Pavilion Theatre at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 7, and the Hull-born star is relishing the forthcoming gig.
He said: “I think I’ve been coming to Rhyl for at least 20 years.
“The audiences in North Wales are fantastic There’s a different edge to the people, like in Liverpool.”
Joe’s career kicked into gear in 1981 with an appearance in ITV show Search for A Star, but the path to stardom started much earlier.
He said: “When I was a kid I studied Sammy Davis Junior and Frank Gorshin who was the Riddler in Batman, and a phenomenal impersonator.
“I was always a show off at school, and I think most entertainers are!”
Joe’s battles will lymphoma and lukaemia are well-documented, but the singer is in good health.
He said: “I’ve been ill since I was about 33, but I don’t look back too much - the main thing is to look forward.
The platinium-selling recording artist believed music was one of the things that helped him through.
He added: “ think that music is a thread that goes through life and if you weave it now and again, it brings people together.”
Life is busy for Joe, who will be in summer season with Roy Walker in Blackpool, and is also working with songwriters on an as-yet untitled collection of new material.
He said: “You know when something fits you like a glove? It's a strange feeling.
“I can write music, but when someone sends you 20-25 that all suit you, it’s like this man’s in your brain.”
Tickets are 19.50. To book, call the Pavilion Theatre box office on 01745 33 00 00, or book online at www.rhylpavilion.co.uk.