Faye Tozer Steps Into Lina Lamont's Shoes For Singing In The Rain Musical

The critically acclaimed award-winning Chichester Festival Theatre production Singing in the Rain which stars Maxwell Caulfield as RF Simpson and Faye Tozer as Lina Lamont, comes to Wales Millennium Centre from 3 December 2013 to 5 January 2014, as part of a nationwide tour.

“I've been blown away by the audience reaction, while the audience have been blown away by the quality of the show.” Actress and Steps star Faye Tozer recently told Andy Howells , “They've really gone all out to make it a visual spectacular and I’m just very proud to be part of it “

A show that all the family can enjoy, Singing in the Rain tells the story of Don Lockwood, a silent movies star with everything he could want - fame, adulation and a well-publicised ‘romance’ with his co-star Lina Lamont. But Hollywood is about to change forever. There is rumour in the studio of a new kind of film, where the actors actually talk…and sing...and dance.

“That period the costumes are just a dream the fashion at the time,” says Faye, “the colours, the romance, the whole thing. Its a real delicious luxurious era when Hollywood had so much money and an exciting time for film as well.”

The show features songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, including Make ‘em Laugh, Good Morning, Moses Supposes and Singing in the Rain.

• A version of this Interview by Andy Howells ran in The South Wales Argus Entertainment Supplement The Guide during November 2013.

In Concert: The Sensational 60s Experience (2013), St David's Hall, Cardiff

Returning to St David’s Hall last week, The Sensational Sixties Experience tour didn't disappoint. Alan Moscha of The Dreamers seamlessly introduced Steve Ellis’ Love Affair, Herman’s Hermits, Chris Farlowe and The Marmalade as they rock and rolled back the years to perform greatest hits and crowd pleasers that frequently had the audience on their feet.

The original mod Steve Ellis kicked off the evening with a fabulous set backed by five incredibly talented musicians who made up this tours version of The Love Affair. The sax sounds and smooth bass lines of classics such as A Day Without Love, Rainbow Valley, Bringing Back The Good Times and Everlasting Love proved that Steve is still top of his game.

“There’s no top billing.” Steve told the audience who were perhaps surprised they were getting quality performances from the offset, “We’re all mates together” he continued referring to the acts that were to follow.

Herman’s Hermits featuring original drummer Barry Whitwam were up next. Selling millions of records around the globe in the 60s always assures this band a great reception as they belt out classics such as No Milk Today and I’m Into Something Good.

The second half kicked off with pure R and B courtesy of Chris Farlowe, another crowd pleaser who remembered his friend Otis Redding by singing Mr Pitiful as well as his own Number One, Out Of Time.

Finally The Marmalade took to the stage to give a vibrant energetic performance of classic hits Falling Apart At The Seams and Rainbow as well as tracks from their new album Penultimate which features a beautiful Celtic rendition of the Beatles Norwegian Wood.

Next years show taking place on November 25, 2014 is already on sale – don’t miss it!

• A version of this review by Andy Howells was published in The South Wales Argus during November 2013.
• Read Andy Howells review of The Sensational 60s Experience 2012.
• Visit the official site for The Sensational 60s Experience

Getting Ready For The Ultimate Party - Jimmy Osmond Interview

The Osmond Brothers

For over five decades The Osmond Brothers have entertained sell out concerts throughout the world. They returned to the UK in 2014 as part of  Tony Denton’s Once In A Lifetime – The Final Tour along with other 1970s favourites David Essex, Showaddywaddy and Les McKeowen’s Legendary Bay City Rollers. Andy Howells spoke with Jimmy Osmond in October 2013 about the tour.

“ This years line up is great were all friends,” says Jimmy Osmond as he takes time out to chat to me on a day off in Basingstoke, “Les McKeown of the Bay City Rollers, David Essex, Showaddywaddy and The Osmonds it’s a good bill. Every person knows the music and that’s what makes it so much fun, we get along, I'm kind of sad it’s the last big one!”

Jimmy along with his brothers Merrill and Jay will perform many of their unforgettable hits from classics such as One Bad Apple, Down By The Lazy River, Let Me In, The Proud One, Goin' Home and Love Me For A Reason to Crazy Horses and Long Haired Lover From Liverpool – the 1972 UK number one from Jimmy, a song the writer particularly associates with custard and Christmas pudding while I watched Jimmy perform it on the Christmas edition of Top of the Pops over 40 years ago. “You're not the first guy that says that,” Jimmy laughs, “there used to be a time when I’d go “Oh no, not that again” but when you perform it in a big arena or wherever people still know it.”

I do point out that some music can recall good and positive memories and Jimmy agrees, “One thing me and my brothers have learned is we couldn’t have done it if we’d felt otherwise.  It’s not about us. Its helping people remember their lives and we were lucky enough to be on the radio. You have fun on stage and people feel more relaxed with you. When you’re up there they know your having fun as well.”

Jimmy and his brothers spend a lot of the time in the UK revisiting their English and Welsh roots. Despite performing for nearly 47 years Jimmy doesn’t take his fame for granted, “It’s really lucky. We had amazing people that were legends that were our mentors. The 70s were amazing years. Unless you actually lived through them people don’t get it, I think that’s why these shows we’re doing are going to be cool because it’s a celebration - the ultimate party.”

A version of this interview by Andy Howells was originally published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide during October, 2013.

A Magical Pairing - Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee Interview

Legendary magician Paul Daniels and his assistant Debbie McGee are heading towards South Wales with their first farewell tour but as you may expect from the magical pair all is not as it seems!

Having seen the title of Paul Daniels brand new magic show The First Farewell Tour which comes to Monmouth’s Savoy theatre on October 28 I feel compelled to ask the question, “Are you retiring?”

“Shy and retiring,” Paul jokes before his irrepressible other half, Debbie McGee, offers up a more straightforward explanation. “The Rolling Stones and Status Quo are always doing the first of their farewell tours,” says Debbie, “Paul sees himself as a magician in that kind of vein - a rock magician! We were thinking of a title for this years tour as we’re doing a completely new show so that’s how it came about.”

Paul Daniels

Coming up with fresh ideas for a live magic show is not a new scenario for Paul Daniels who has constantly adapted his act over the years since learning the art of magic from library books as a schoolboy.

“I learned magic from all the books and therefore developed my own style of doing things so I never wanted to be David Nixon. Bruce Forsyth appealed to me much more at the time as a style of presentation so I just became me. That’s what I tell young magicians, “Don’t copy me or Dynamo or any of those guys - just be yourself!””

Paul of course came to major prominence through his successful light entertainment shows on British television between 1979 and 1994, although before then he had worked many years on the live circuit, “I started off in the workingmen’s clubs and did all that for many a year and gradually broke into television,” he says.

Paul took a very realistic stance when approaching the presentation of his TV shows. “Television is the theatre on the wall or on the stand in your living room,” he says, “if you’re doing workingmen’s clubs you have one set of performance rules, if you have cabaret clubs it’s different again. Come television time, I would get American guests for example and they’d go “We’ve got 16 million viewers!” and I’d say “Whoa! You’ve got four! They’re sitting 12 feet away from you on a settee” Once you perform to that technique you become a much better television presenter.”

Debbie McGee

Paul’s has remained on the live circuit since the 1990s and still at his side, like on television, is  Debbie. The pair have been together for 34 years, Debbie; a professional dancer, met Paul following a successful audition for The Delfont Organisation. When did they realise they were falling for each other I ask?. “We still haven't” jokes Paul. “I was attracted to Paul immediately,” laughs Debbie, “there was definitely chemistry. I don’t know when he fell for me. It took him a lot longer.” “No it didn't, it was instant!” interjects Paul. They both laugh.

The pair married in 1988 and Debbie says Laughter has been a driving force in their partnership, both off stage and on. Their forthcoming Monmouth show will feature many magic moments from mindreading to illusions and has already been well received by audiences. “We tested all of this show out in a big village festival a few weeks ago,” says Paul, “there was one child sitting in the front and he was screaming with laughter and he made the whole audience laugh even more.”

• Catch Paul Daniels First farewell Tour at Monmouth Savoy on October 28, 2013. 

In Concert: Sixties Gold 2013, St David's Hall, Cardiff

Without a doubt the 1960s was a great decade for music as the opening night of the Sixties Gold tour at St David’s Hall proved last week where no less than five acts performed to a packed house for over two and a half hours.

It might have been the first night of the tour, but the performances from The Fortunes, The Searchers, Brian Poole and Chip Hawkes, PJ Proby and Gerry and The Pacemakers were flawless.

As each act entered the stage the focus was purely on the music, with occasional histories of songs and bands thrown in with light humour for good measure.

The Fortunes pictured together in the interval

The Fortunes still retain the spirit and sound of great hits such as You’ve Got Your Troubles, Storm In a Teacup and Caroline.

The Searchers featuring chart era members John McNally and Frank Allen really picked the pace up and got fans dancing in the aisles to Sweets For My Sweet and Love Potion No.9.

There was a welcome return to two former Tremeloes Brian Poole and Chip Hawkes who performed 6 songs including Silence Is Golden and a hilarious rendition of Do You Love Me.

PJ Proby followed with a fabulous set showing he still has the voice and command to mesmerise the audience with renditions of Somewhere and Hold Me.

Finally Gerry Marsden sang his greatest hits with the current incarnation of The Pacemakers including Its Gonna Be Alright and You’ll Never Walk Alone.

The tour continues around the UK until the end of November, including a performance at Bristol’s Colston Hall on October 4, 2013.

• A version of this review by Andy Howells was published in The South Wales Argus during October, 2013.
• Read Andy Howells interview with Chip Hawkes of The Tremeloes

Why Chip Hawkes Is Still Number One For Tremeloes Hits

“Its lovely to have had a life doing something you enjoy!” says Len ‘Chip’ Hawkes.

The former star of 60s chart toppers The Tremeloes and the father of chart topping The One and Only star Chesney kicks off The Sixties Gold 50th Anniversary Tour with original Tremeloes front man Brian Poole and other 60s legends in Cardiff next week.

“Nobody’s got anything to prove now," Chip laughs, “We go on, play the hits and they speak for themselves.”

Chip became interested in music as a boy back in the 1950s when a friend made a guitar in a local boys club, “I made a guitar at school in the woodworking shop and we just struck up a friendship and started to play together,” he says, “Funnily enough that’s how I became interested in Woodwork and when I left school I became a carpenters apprentice.”

Inspired by his hero Elvis Presley, Chip split his time working on building sites with playing at local gigs in Slough, sometimes still covered in wood shavings when he got on stage, and that’s how he came by his nickname.

Following a spell playing gigs in Germany with The Horizons, Chip returned home to England and quickly followed up an audition to join a band. “I just got an audition and they didn't name the band, but they said it was a “professional band in London,” anyway it was The Tremeloes and I passed the audition.”

For a brief spell Chip played alongside original Tremeloes frontman Brian Poole, “I was so bewildered, I was so young and it happened very quickly. In those days it was so new and fresh. I never flew until then and I’d never had a wage! Then Brian left and a new era started us on our own, it was a pioneering time as well.”

A change of record label from Decca to CBS saw a change in direction for the Tremeloes who had previously topped the charts with songs such as Do You Love Me and Twist and Shout. Brandishing a happier feel-good sound the hits continued including Even The Bad Times are Good and Call Me Number One and a further chart-topper with Silence Is Golden in 1967.

“We were all such different characters,” says Chip of the band which also included Dave Munden, Alan Blakely and Rick Westwood, “but somehow it worked. We didn't have many disputes but of course we did, then in the next minute we were in the pub having a drink, we were just mates and it worked.”

Chip has now reunited with original Tremeloes front man Brian Poole to present a brief history of The Tremeloes on stage covering both their eras and featuring selections from some 25 hits. "Its very relaxed on stage , there’s never any tense moments and if anything goes wrong we just laugh!” he says.

• Chip Hawkes and Brian Poole with Gerry and The Pacemakers, The Searchers and PJ Proby played St David’s Hall, Cardiff on Wednesday September 25, 2013.
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide during September 2013.
• Read Andy Howells review of the Sixties Gold show for 2013
• Read Andy Howells interview with Tremeloes drummer Dave Munden
• Read Andy Howells interview with original Tremeloes frontman Brian Poole

Kathryn Williams Discusses Pinnacle Album Crown Electric

“I feel like it’s quite a pinnacle record for me,” singer/songwriter Kathryn Williams says of her latest release Crown Electric, “it’s my tenth album and after 15 years of writing songs I've got a reason to be doing it.”

Kathryn is well known for her collaborations with bands such as The Crayonettes and The Pond, but Crown Electric sees a return to recording solo material.” We took 18 songs into the studio to work,” Kathryn continues, “Each process was about honing and seeing which ones were more successful and how string arrangements would work much better.”

“The nice thing about the album is I haven’t intentionally made it accessible but people who have listened to it have said “I really feel like that song was for me.” That’s such a compliment. Once the songs get released they are no longer mine they start belonging to other people, it’s a lovely feeling that people take them to heart as their own.”

Crown Electric is indeed an impressive release; summery sounds combined with heartfelt, sometimes bittersweet lyrics make a deservedly repeated listen. Everything about the album has been well-thought out including the title which has a connection to Elvis Presley. “It’s from a lyric on the song Gave It Away, because Elvis drove trucks for Crown Electric before he was the King. Never knowing which way light would shine on destiny’s wings. I had quite a few titles and I felt Crown Electric was saying the right sort of thing for this record. It feels nostalgic, it also feels strong and sounds like the name of a classic album.”

The first single from Crown Electric is the composition Heart-Shaped Stone written with album producer and long time friend Neil McCall. “A friend of mine was nanny for me a few years ago. We were on the beach and she said she’d been looking for a heart shaped stone for her boyfriend. Neil and I looked at each other and started playing the guitar straight away; we thought we’ve got to make a song from this. It’s been 4 or 5 years of honing that song and we wanted it to go on the right record. It’s got a sweet and sour lyric to it but at the same time we wanted it to have that sunshiny feel.”

Heart-Shaped Stone’s accompanying video is already gaining momentum on YouTube and captures Kathryn with guitar on a beach in full singer/songwriter mode. It also features a comical twist at the video climax with Kathryn chased by a laser firing dream lover across a beach. The video is the brainchild of comedy writer James Serafinowicz and director Al Campbell. “I asked them to come up with a few treatments,” shes says, “The writing of music is serious but what you want people to think you are doesn’t matter. So they couldn’t believe it when I said that sounds brilliant lasers shooting at me! Like artists never do that!”

Liverpool born Kathryn who has been based in Newcastle for the last 15 years combines her career with parenthood and will shortly be touring with Crown Electric. “Luckily I’ve got a really good husband who understands and takes time off when I go on tour, and we work it out together. It is hard but since having children I’m more ambitious than I’ve ever been. I want them to be proud of me.”

“What I want to do is create a special night, I’ll be going away from my kids which will be hard but I’ll put everything into the set. It’s the longest tour I’ve ever done. There’s going to be a three piece band with me including cello and guitar. We did a run through of how it’s going to be and that went really well. It will be quite intimate.”

• Kathryn Williams plays Cardiff Glee Club on September 22, 2013.
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide during August 2013.

Making Music To Make Boys Cry - Diana Vickers Interview

Ferocious critics of former The X Factor contestants beware. Anyone who considers participants of the show to be one-hit wonders should really reconsider, as Blackburn born Diana Vickers, 21, has proven some five years after appearing on the show, she is still going strong.

“It seems like such a long time ago now,” Diana tells Andy Howells, “It was really tough, but was a great platform, particularly for the things I did later.”

Diana followed her X Factor experience with a chart-topping single, Once and an album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree, “It was a big surprise, but it was more of a shock when my album got to number one. It was a really big thing that people had bought into me and my music, incredible.”

Diana’s chart topping album also coincided with her first professional acting appearance in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in London’s West End, “It was an amazing four months doing that role and a real challenge because I got to do so many impersonations,"she says.

Diana says that she has always had a passion for acting since her schooldays and frequently appeared in school plays alongside her sister, “I’d love to concentrate more on acting,” she continues, “I've just finished filming a comedy series in Manchester for Sky called Give Out Girls which goes out early next year. It’s a great script with lots of belly laughs. I play a character called Gemma who I absolutely adore, even though she’s a bit ditsy.”

Diana is also back with a new album Music to Make Boys Cry and will be performing songs from it at Westonbirt Arboretum when she supports Olly Murs this weekend.

Co-written with Xenomania's Miranda Cooper and produced by Ant Whiting whose credentials included the debut Rizzle Kicks release, Music To Make Boys Cry will display a heavier sound to Diana’s repertoire.

“The albums taken around two years to put together," Diana continues, “it’s been a long process but well worth it. We've took the inspiration from Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Blondie and lots of 80s artists. I’m particularly proud of the first single from the album Cinderella.”

So what of the future?  “I want to get the album out and dive into the music," Diana concludes, "I’ll be doing a small tour with the new album as well as a radio tour and will be visiting Wales at some point”

• Diana Vickers supports Olly Murs at Westonbirt Arboretum; Gloucester this weekend, her single, Cinderella is out on July 21, 2013.
• A version of this interview with Diana Vickers appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide during June 2013.

Lisa Riley Talks Strictly Confidential

Over the decade since it began on television Strictly Come Dancing has never failed to surprise its audience with the dancing capabilities of some of its celebrity competitors. However in last years series, actress Lisa Riley was probably even more surprised than her audience.

“The whole experience was a surprise,” laughs Lisa who was paired with professional dancer Robin Windsor throughout the series, “I only expected to last two dances so getting to the semi-finals totally blew me away. The support was great, not only from everyone on the show but the viewers too, so even though people were upset when I got voted off, I just wanted to keep on learning.”

Lisa particularly got lots of encouragement throughout the show from Craig Revel-Horwood, the country’s most notorious entertainment judge and not usually the easiest of people to please when it comes to dance. However he quickly warmed to Lisa’s flare and presentation on the dance floor.

“Craig and I hit it off straight away,” says Lisa, “We’ve since worked together on the arena tour so I’m looking forward to working with him on Strictly Confidential.”

Strictly Confidential will give theatre audiences the chance to get up close and personal with some of the stars of the show. Lisa will be paired with professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev, while Natalie Lowe will be joined by Ian Waite. The dance couples will take fans on an intimate journey into their backgrounds and motivations live on stage, giving audiences a personal insight into what led them to their Strictly Come Dancing adventure.

The brand new show has been written and directed by Revel Horwood, “Craig has devised a show that will provide a new insight into Strictly featuring, singing, acting, narration and questions from the audience,” says Lisa.

I ask Lisa if she had a particular favourite dance she performed while taking part in Strictly, the bubbly actress is quick to answer, “My favourite was my foxtrot, that was like performing on Broadway and I’ll let you into a little secret, I think we’ll be doing it again on stage.”

Has Strictly Come Dancing opened up a new avenue for the actress who was once famed for playing the notorious Mandy Dingle in the TV soap Emmerdale?  “I’ve had a busy career since Emmerdale“replies Lisa, “Rebecca in Fat Friends was undoubtedly my favourite role but my Strictly experience is up there with that.”

Lisa continues to work hard and although her talent for dancing appears to have come to the forefront of her career, she remains busy in presenting TV shows and acting, more recently in an episode of George Gently.
She still has some ambitions too, “I’d love to play a cook in one of those classic dramas, you know, the ones that work downstairs with no teeth” she laughs.

• A version of this interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus Entertainment section The Guide during April 2013.

Still A Number One Performer - Max Boyce Interview

Entertainer Max Boyce is still at the top of his game some 43 years after the release of his debut album. His current tour, which begins on April 6, is already selling out across Welsh venues resulting in him adding a date at Ebbw Vale’s Beaufort Theatre on April 28 to meet with popular demand. “The tours are amazing, it’s as big for me in Wales now as ever,” says Max. “Every tour has sold out, the other theatres want more as well, but I can’t fit them in”

Glynneath born Max needs no introduction to those familiar with his comical poems and songs of mining communities mixed with a passion for Welsh Rugby since the 1970s. “I’m everything,” he says when asked how he defines himself, “I’m not a comedian as such, it’s always been difficult for people to categorise me which is good.”

Much of Max’s inspiration is drawn from his first-person experience of working in the mines during the 1960s. “It certainly inspired some of my early work,” he says, “I've always thought it best to write from personal experience, you can never get it right if you write it second-hand. It gave me a real insight into the industry that made Wales what it is. People can identify with the songs all over, the North East, Lancashire, Yorkshire, all these places have huge mining communities, and it struck a chord with everybody.”

Incredibly however, Max didn't set out to be a performer, “I never had any ambition to be an entertainer or to perform. It was that time in the late 60s, early 70s where everyone seemed to have a guitar. I bought a guitar for four pounds, something just for my own amusement really and started singing folk music. Id always loved folk music and poetry and that went hand in hand. Gradually I started writing what I knew about never thinking it would touch so many people’s lives.”

Max came to national prominence following the release of his Live in Treorchy album in 1974, but the recording of that groundbreaking LP wasn't straightforward. . “Of course no-one had heard of me,” he laughs, “no-one would buy the tickets and they were only 50p. They gave them to the choir and the rugby club, saying, “There’s this lad from across the valleys coming to record an album, will you come?” They came and that was the audience.”

In 1975, his follow up album We All Had Doctors Papers shot straight to Number One in the album charts. “It was the only comedy record (album) ever to go to number one. I was up there with The Beatles and The Stones and it was just incredible to see my name above them albeit for only three weeks.”

Max’s popularity has continued to endure since the heady days of the 70s, his personal highlights including personal appearances at Rugby ceremonies in Cardiff, Wembley and Sydney Opera House.

Following Wales recent win, I ask Max if Rugby fans will be getting new material inspired by the game as part of his latest tour “You Will” he enthuses, “It was fantastic to lose the first game and then not to lose again and end up champions was amazing!”

Max will also be adding some old favourites to the mix too “I tried at one time to change the whole thing and people come up to you and go “why didn't you sing that?” They've become like old friends some of the songs!”

• This interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus  entertainment supplement The Guide during April 2013.
• Visit Max Boyce Official Website

"Touring As Chas & Dave Gets Better All The Time" - Chas Hodges Interview

Celebrating their 40th anniversary as a partnership Chas & Dave are back out on the road with a new tour. Andy Howells catches up with Chas Hodges ahead of the pair’s appearance at Newport Riverfront for a rabbit…

“It’s a nice feeling.” Chas Hodges tells me as we discuss Chas & Dave’s new tour, “At last people are realising that if you go out and see Chas & Dave you’ll have a good time.”

The pop-rock duo consisting of Chas on piano and Dave Peacock on bass guitar who originate from the East End of London, took the charts by storm in the early 80s with hits such as Rabbit and Ain’t No Pleasing You. They are now touring again and make a return visit to Newport Riverfront next month. I tell Chas it’s a pleasant surprise to see them back. The last tour was regarded to be the final for the pair following the death of Dave’s wife Sue, a main driving force behind the band and prompting Dave’s decision to leave show business.

“It was going to be our final tour, confirms Chas, “I carried on as Chas and his band, I gig every week and always will do. You never get over somebody dying but it gets a little bit easier to cope with as time goes on and Dave fancied doing another one, so here we are.”

Chas & Dave had already known each other a decade when they came together as a duo in 1972, both having already experienced success in other bands. Chas, who learned the piano as a boy switched to bass guitar when he began playing professionally. As well as playing for both Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent on their UK tours, Chas was also a member of the Joe Meek produced group The Outlaws and later Cliff Bennett and The Rebel Rousers who supported The Beatles on their last European Tour. Chas carried on playing bass guitar until the early 70s by which time he found himself in America performing with Albert Lee and singing in an American accent.

“It came to a head, I was sort of thinking this doesn’t feel right to me,” he says. Chas decided it was time to return to playing piano and sing songs in his own East London accent. He then invited Dave to join him on bass, thus starting a musical partnership on the pub rock scene that over the next seven years defined their Rockney style.

Disc Jockey Terry Wogan favoured their recording of Billy Tyler on Radio 2 while Gertcha! and Rabbit proved successful in the charts. They scored their biggest hit in 1982 with Ain’t No Pleasing You which reached Number 2 and were invited to appear on television with Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett in The Two Ronnies. “That was fantastic; they were big fans of ours,” says Chas, “When we were talking to their wives afterwards they said they’ve never invited anyone else to do anything musical with them. We did a cockney sketch with them with banjos and they were great.”

The current tour is a timely celebration of Chas & Dave’s 40 year partnership, promising to revisit material the pair performed in the East End pubs when they first got together as well as all the hits from the 80s onwards.

Chas is delighted with the response from fans who attend the shows “They sing all our songs,” he says of the audience “more than they’ve ever done. It gets better all the time.”

• A version of this interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide during March 2012.
• For the latest Chas & Dave news visit their official website.