An old trooper

Last night I went to see Joe Longthorne, one of the most under-rated singing stars this country has produced. Despite recovering from cancer, he gave a bravura performance that his legion of fans - me included - cheered and cheered. The packed audience at the London Palladium remained on their feet for his rendition of If I never sing another song; a performance Sinatra would have acknowledged. I popped in to see him after the show and I fear he looked frail and tired. Giving everything for an hour and 40 mins had knocked him backwards. He was in Wigan on Saturday and will be in Canterbury tomorrow, so he can truly be described as an old trooper.